How to Play a Game of Dominoes

Dominoes has been around for a long time. So long, in fact, that the slang term for dominoes, “bones,” was coined originally because dominoes used to be fashioned from bones. It is a very simple game to play, and a very fun one at that. Up to four people can play and if you can count to 100, you are all set. Here is how to play dominoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dominoes

1. Take all the dominoes and turn them over so that the marked circles are facing down. This way nobody can see which domino is which.

2. Choose your dominoes randomly. If it is one on one, then each player gets seven dominoes. If more people are playing, each player gets five.

3. Find out who has the highest doublet. That is, who has the most dots on one domino. The highest is double sixes-a six on both sides. Whoever has the highest goes first by placing that domino down face up.

4. Play goes counter clockwise, and the next player has to lay down a domino that matches with one of its ends one of the ends of a domino already laid.

5. You can lay your dominoes end to end, sideways or any arrangement so long as it is at 90 degree angles.

6. Pick a domino from the bone yard. The bone yard is the randomly mixed area of facedown dominoes.You will do this when you do not have one matching any open spaces.

7. Get rid of all your dominoes. The first person to have no dominoes left in their hand is awarded the number of points on the dominoes the other players have in their hands. Play to a number agreed upon beforehand-usually 100.

Tips & Warnings

• For younger players, you can find dominoes that have color-coordinated ends instead of the traditional black and white.
• Count your pieces before the game. A full set contains 28 dominoes.
• Remember to agree on what you’re ending winning score will be before beginning.