Game guide
Classic dominoes
Your goal
Play all your tiles before the other players. If the chain becomes blocked, aim to have the fewest pips left in your hand.
How to play
- Use the 28-tile double-six set. Two players receive seven tiles each; three or four receive five each. The rest form the boneyard.
- The opening player must use the designated starting tile. This version starts with the lowest available double beginning at 1:1, with 0:0 after 6:6; if no doubles were dealt, the heaviest tile starts.
- On your turn, match one half of a tile to either open end of the chain. Its other half becomes the new end. Doubles are ordinary connections and do not create branches.
- If nothing fits, draw one tile at a time until a move is possible. You may pass only when the boneyard is empty and your hand has no legal tile.
Controls
Computer
Click a highlighted tile. If it fits at both ends, choose an indicated placement on the table. Use Draw or Pass only when the game offers that action.
Phone or tablet
Tap a tile and, when asked, tap the ghost tile at the desired end of the chain. Scroll your hand if not all tiles fit on the screen.
Progress and the end of a game
- The first empty hand wins this single-round game. If every player must pass, the lowest remaining pip total wins; equal lowest totals share the win.
- Online turns last 60 seconds, after which the game draws and plays automatically. A bot takes over a departed hand. Reload the same tab to reconnect to your table.
Useful tips
- Watch both open ends before selecting a tile. When you have a choice, keep several different numbers available in your hand.
- As the boneyard runs out, reduce your pip total and remember which numbers opponents could not match. A blocked chain can be better than giving a rival an easy final tile.
Detailed table rules
- Double-six set: 28 tiles. Two players get 7 tiles each; three or four get 5. The rest form the boneyard.
- The player with 1:1 starts. If it was not dealt, use the next lowest double: 2:2 through 6:6, then 0:0. If no doubles were dealt, the heaviest tile starts. That tile must be played first.
- Match a tile to either open end. Doubles do not branch. If you cannot play, draw one tile at a time until you can. Pass only when the boneyard is empty and no tile fits.
- One round: the first to empty their hand wins. If everyone passes, the lowest remaining pip total wins; equal totals share the win.
- Online turns last 60 seconds. On timeout the game draws and plays automatically. After leaving, a bot plays your hand. Reload this tab to reconnect.