DOMINOES BASICS

Dominoes are a set of rectangular tiles bearing a pair of numbers (from 0-6), one number at each end. Domino number pairs run from 0-0 to 6-6: 0-0, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, etc.

A domino with the same number at both ends is called a DOUBLE: 0-0, 1-1, 2-2, etc. Unless otherwise noted, the value of a domino is the sum of its numbers on both ends: 1-4 tile is worth 5, 6-6 tile is worth 12, etc.

You start with a "hand" of dominoes. Generally, on your turn you will play a domino to the table to empty your hand and score points. If you cannot play a domino, you may have to draw dominoes from a BONEYARD of undealt tiles.

After the first domino is played to the table, subsequent tiles are joined to the "open end" of a domino in play. The 2 short sides of the domino are the ends. It is open if a domino has not been joined to it. In most cases, the ends of the two tiles must bear the same number.

EXAMPLE: A "1-4" domino is on the table, but someone has already matched a domino to the "4" end of the tile. The "1" end is still open. You can join one of your dominoes to it that also has a "1" on one of its ends.

The SPINNER is an exception to this rule. Spinners are Doubles (0-0, 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, or 6-6). You can play tiles off all 4 sides of the Spinner, however your tile must match the number on the Spinner as with other dominoes. There may be none, one or more Spinners in a game. (Note: BGA Dominoes does not support multiple spinner games.)

The word "domino" comes from the Latin for "master" and is traditionally said when a player places their last tile!

Below are directions for several popular dominoes games. Once you have a feel for how to play, explore the many table options to create a new favorite.

DRAW DOMINOES

Win points by being the player with the least amount of points left in hand at the end of the round.

Boneyard ~ YES, Spinner ~ NO

Play ~

1. Start player plays a DOUBLE to the table.

• If they don't have a Double, they play any tile.

2. The next player plays a tile from their hand, matching an open end, -OR- may draw one domino from the boneyard, even if they can play a tile.

• If none of your tiles match an "open" end, you must draw tiles from the boneyard until you can play a piece. If the boneyard is empty, simply pass your turn.

3. Play continues until someone empties their hand -OR- until no one can play a tile.

4. Whoever scored the round bonus becomes start player.

Round Bonus ~ Whoever's unplayed tiles have the LEAST value scores points equal to everyone elses' unplayed tiles MINUS the value of the tiles left in their own hand.

BLOCK DOMINOES

Same as Draw Dominoes, but there is no Boneyard and the start player is always the next player clockwise.

DOUBLE BERGEN

First, create a cross by matching all sides of a Spinner (the start tile). Then win points for open ends that match the tile you play, but lose points at the end of the round for your unplayed tiles!

Boneyard ~ YES, Spinner ~ ONE - The start tile

Play ~

1. Whoever has the HIGHEST DOUBLE in hand leads the round by playing it to the table. This tile is a Spinner.

• If no one has a Double, whoever has the highest-value domino starts by playing it to the table.

2. The next player plays a tile from their hand, matching an open end.

• If none of your tiles match an "open" end, you must draw tiles from the boneyard until you can play. If the boneyard is empty, simply pass your turn.

3. Score 1 point during your turn for EACH open end in the layout that matches your domino's open end.

• A double counts as 2 open ends, so they are worth 2 points apiece!

4. Play continues until someone empties their hand -OR- until no one can play a tile.

Round PENALTY ~ EVERYONE loses 1 point per domino left in their hand!

MATADOR

Score points by having the least points left in hand at the end of the round. Played in a single line with only 2 open ends. When joining your domino, connecting ends must add up to 7. There are 4 wild dominoes, called Matadors: the 0-0 tile and the dominoes whose numbers add up to 7 (1-6, 2-5 and 3-4). Doubles are treated as 1 of their number ~ for example, a 3-3 is treated as a "3."

Boneyard ~ YES, Spinner ~ NO

Play ~

1. Whoever has the HIGHEST DOUBLE in hand starts the round by playing it to the table.

2. The next person plays a tile from their hand so that the numbers on the "connecting ends" equal 7.

EXAMPLE: You can connect your "4-6" tile to any open end that is a 3 or a 1, because 4 + 3 = 7 and 6 + 1 = 7.

• Matadors are wild! They can connect to any any domino.

• If you can't play a tile, you must draw one domino from the boneyard and pass your turn.

3. Play continues until someone empties their hand -OR- until no one can play a tile. 4. Start player rotates clockwise.

Round Bonus ~ Whoever's unplayed tiles have the LEAST value scores points equal to everyone elses' unplayed tiles MINUS the value of the dominoes left in your hand.

MALTESE CROSS

Players begin by creating a 2-tier cross, then win points by being the player with the least points left in hand at the end of the round.

Boneyard ~ YES, Spinner ~ ONE - the start tile

Play ~

1. Whoever has the HIGHEST DOUBLE in hand starts the round by playing it to the table. This is a Spinner. 2. The next 4 dominos must match the 4 sides of the Spinner.

• If you can't play a tile, you must draw a domino from the boneyard, the either play it or pass your turn.

3. Once all 4 sides of the Spinner have been matched, the next 4 dominoes must be Doubles that match the open ends of the tiles attached to the cross. This creates the 2nd tier.

• If you can't play a tile, you must draw a domino from the boneyard, the either play it or pass your turn.

4. Once the 4 Doubles have been placed, players place dominoes per the usual rule of matching their tile to an open end.

• If you can't play a tile, you simply pass your turn.

5. Play continues until someone empties their hand -OR- until no one can play a tile. 6. Start player rotates clockwise each round.

Round Bonus ~ Whoever's unplayed tiles have the LEAST value scores points equal to everyone elses' unplayed dominoes MINUS the value of their hand.

ALL FIVES

Score points by playing tiles so that all open ends on the table add up to a multiple of 5.

Boneyard ~ YES Spinner ~ ONE - The first double played

Play ~

1. Start player plays any tile to the table. They score points in their tile's ends are multiples of 5.

2. The next person plays a tile from their hand. Total all the open ends and score points if it's a multiple of 5.

• If none of your tiles match an "open" end, you must draw tiles from the boneyard until you can play a piece. If the boneyard is empty, simply pass your turn.

3. Score points during your turn if all the open ends in the layout add up to a multiple of 5.

EXAMPLE 1: The "2-6" is the only domino on the table. The open ends (2 + 6) add up to 8. 5 doesn't divide evenly into 8, so no points are scored.

EXAMPLE 2: You add a "2-4" tile to the "2-6" tile on the table: |4-2|2-6|. By joining the "2" of your tile to the "2" of theirs, the open ends are now 4 + 6, which equals 10. 5 goes into 10 two times. You gain 2 points.

EXAMPLE 3: The next player joins a "6-1" tile: |4-2|2-6|6-1|. The open ends are now 4 + 1, which equals 5. 5 goes into 5 one time. They score 1 point.

4. Play continues until someone empties their hand -OR- until no one can play a tile. 5. Whoever scored the round bonus becomes start player.

Round Bonus ~ Whoever's unplayed tiles have the LEAST value scores points equal to everyone elses' unplayed tiles DIVIDED BY 5.

FIVES AND THREES

Score points by playing tiles so that all open ends on the table add up to a multiple of 5 OR 3.

Boneyard ~ NO Spinner ~ NO

Play ~

1. Start player plays any tile to the table. They score points in their tile's ends are multiples of 5 or 3. 2. The next person plays a tile from their hand. Total all the open ends and score points if it's a multiple of 5.

• If none of your tiles match an "open" end, you simply pass your turn.

3. Score points during your turn if all the open ends in the layout add up to a multiple of 5 or 3.

EXAMPLE: The open ends add up to 9. 3 goes into 9 three times. You get 3 points.

EXAMPLE: If the open ends add up to 15, you earn a whopping 8 points! (5 goes into 15 three times and 3 goes into 15 five times: 5+3=8)

4. Play continues until someone empties their hand -OR- until no one can play a tile. 5. Whoever scored the round bonus becomes start player.

Round Bonus ~ Whoever's unplayed tiles have the LEAST value scores ONE point.