Domino is a game played with dominoes, which are small rectangular blocks with marked surfaces. The most common type is a double-six set. These are joined end-to-end to form a chain. The number of points scored on this chain is determined by the pips on the exposed ends of the dominoes.
Origins
Domino is a game of skill that has many variations and can be played in a variety of ways. The rules of the game are simple and can be learned in a few minutes. It is a great way to spend an afternoon with friends or family.
It is hard to determine the exact origin of domino, but it may have been invented in China in the 12th century. It is also thought that the name “domino” may be derived from the Latin dominus, meaning master of the house, or from a hooded cape with black and white lining worn by French priests.
It is a popular game that is still played in cafes and bars. Some of the most popular domino games are blocking games where the goal is to empty a player’s hand, or scoring games where points are awarded for specific rules of play.
Rules
Depending on the game type and setting, domino can be played with one to six players. Each player draws a hand of tiles, and the winner is decided when all rounds are completed or when a set point limit has been reached.
Typically, a player starts by placing a single domino in the center of the table. This begins a line of play, with each subsequent domino placed so that its end matches the pips on an exposed end of a previous tile. Doubles are often laid sideways as a “spinner” to create new trains that go at right angles to the existing line of play.
If no player has a domino with an exposed end, the heaviest double is drawn as the first tile for the next round of play. Players may also draw additional tiles from a pile of extra, unused dominoes known as the boneyard.
Variations
There are a variety of domino games. Some are more complex than others. Some of them have special rules or rules for scoring. For example, you may score when a series of open ended dominoes add up to a multiple of five.
The quintessential domino game is the two-player blocking game. This game uses a double-six set and is played on a rectangular board with the boneyard, or stock, face down. Each player draws seven tiles for their hand, and then plays them in turn. The other players can see the tile faces but not their value.
Another variation, called Draw dominoes, starts much like Block, except that players begin with less than seven tiles. Each time a player plays a double, a new chain of domino halves begins at the center of the line.
Materials
There are many types of materials used to make dominoes today. Some of the most common are plastic, wood and metal. However, there are also specialty materials like foam for the giant yard dominoes pictured above that you are unlikely to find in your local toy store.
Domino tiles are flat thumb-sized rectangular blocks with a line or ridge that divides them visually into two square parts, bearing from one to six dots (or pips) on each part. A domino is marked on both sides with a value and may be blank or identically patterned.
A basic set of dominoes can be made with cheap, sturdy wood that can be enjoyed by kids for hours of play. There are also high-end, beautiful sets of dominoes that are crafted by skilled craftsmen and often have hefty price tags.
Scoring
A game of domino can be played by two players against each other or in partnerships. The game is often combined with darts in British pubs and bars, with competitive ‘Darts & Doms’ leagues.
In straight domino, players score points when the number of exposed pips on both ends of their tiles adds up to a number divisible by five or three. Some variants allow only scores that are divisible by five, while others make no such restriction.
Other games, such as bergen and muggins, determine point value by counting the outstanding pips in a player’s hand. However, this method is not as conducive to scoring on a cribbage board or using Holsey and Tidwell’s X system. Consequently, many beginner players tend to ignore the fact that their total remains the same regardless of which way the pips go.