How to Play Dominoes: Rules, Scoring and Strategy Guide

What is Dominoes?

Dominoes is a tile-based game with over 700 years of history. The standard set — double-six — consists of 28 tiles, each divided into two halves bearing 0 to 6 pips. The Brazilian version (the most popular in South America) has some unique rules, including special endings that award bonus points.

The domino tiles

A standard double-six set contains 28 tiles:

• 7 doubles: [0|0] through [6|6]
• 21 mixed tiles: every unique combination of two different numbers

Setup and dealing

All tiles are shuffled face-down (this is called "washing" the dominoes). Then:

• 2 players: each draws 7 tiles; 14 remain as the boneyard (draw pile).
• 3 players: each draws 7 tiles; 7 remain as the boneyard.
• 4 players (partnerships): each draws 7 tiles; no boneyard.

The player with the highest double tile starts the hand by playing it. If no one has a double, the player with the highest-value tile starts.

How to play

Players take turns clockwise. On your turn, you must place a tile so that one of its numbers matches an open end of the chain on the table. The numbers that touch must be equal.

If you cannot play:

• With a boneyard available: draw tiles one at a time until you can play.
• Without a boneyard (4-player): pass your turn.

Ways a hand ends

In the Brazilian version, the way a hand ends determines its point value:

• Regular win: a player plays their last tile. Worth 1 point.
• Batida de chapa (double out): the player's last tile is a double. Worth 2 points.
• Lá-e-cá (both ends match): the player goes out AND the two open ends of the chain show the same number. Worth 3 points.
• Lá-e-cá de chapa: goes out with a double AND both ends match. Worth 6 points — wins the entire game in one hand!
• Blocked game: no one can play and there's no boneyard. The team or player with fewer pips remaining wins. Worth 1 point.

Scoring

A full game is played to 6 points (sometimes called "best of 6" or "3 games"). Points are awarded per hand based on the ending type above. The first team or player to reach 6 points wins the match.

2-player, 3-player and 4-player variants

2-player Dominoes

The most fast-paced variant. With 14 tiles in the boneyard, hands are more unpredictable. Drawing from the boneyard is a key tactical decision — do you draw hoping for a specific tile, or is it safer to pass?

3-player Dominoes

Each player is on their own. With 7 tiles in the boneyard, strategy shifts: you need to block two opponents simultaneously, which is much harder than blocking one.

4-player Partnership Dominoes

The most strategic variant. Partners sit opposite each other and there is no boneyard. Coordination through tile choices is key — your plays signal information to your partner about what you hold.

Winning strategies

Control the ends

Pay attention to which numbers appear at the open ends of the chain. If you have many tiles of a specific number, try to establish that number at the ends to force opponents into passing.

Count the tiles

When a player passes, you know they don't have the number at that end. This is crucial information — use it to plan which ends to play on.

Signal your partner (4-player)

When you have a choice of moves, playing a specific tile communicates to your partner what numbers you hold. Experienced players develop "languages" of tile plays to coordinate strategy without speaking.

Aim for special endings

A "lá-e-cá de chapa" (6-point ending) wins the game instantly. Watch the ends of the chain — if both ends can be made to match with tiles you control, make that your goal.