The rules of the game of Domino
The rules of the Domino game
How the game works
A game of dominoes is played with 28 dominoes. At the start of the game, 7 pieces are distributed to each of the two players. The remaining 14 bricks are placed face down on the table and constitute the draw pile.
Start of the game
At the start of the game, the player with the largest double (i.e. a domino with both sides identical) starts the game. If neither player has a double, the player with the largest single domino starts. In the event of an additional round, the same procedure applies to each new round.
The Draw
Each player places a domino on the game table in turn at one of the two ends. When a player cannot play a brick, he is obliged to draw a domino until he can play. It is therefore possible for a player to draw a very large number of pieces in a row.
If the 14 bricks in the draw pile have been drawn by both players, the domino game continues as long as both players can place pieces. If a player cannot play, he passes. The other player therefore has the possibility of playing 2 dominoes in a row.
Blocked game
If neither player can play, the game is blocked. The number of points of each player is counted to determine the winner of the round. The player with the fewest points is declared the winner.
The value of a piece is determined by its face value. For example, a 6 – 3 domino will be worth 9 points.
The game ends when a player has exceeded the maximum number determined at the start of the game.
Domino Strategy
Have as many different values as possible
In dominoes, when you can't play, you have to draw. It is therefore important to play your pieces in order to avoid drawing. To do this, remember to keep as many different values in hand as possible.
If you have to play a domino with a 4 and you have several dominoes with a 4 (such as 4-1; 4-2 and 4-5), remember to play the domino whose other side of the 4 is a value that you have in hand several times.
For example, if you have several 2s but only one 1 and one 5, play the 4-2 in order to keep the values 1 and 5 in hand.
Get rid of your doubles
The "Doubles" have the particularity of having the same value on both sides. They therefore give you less chance of being played than dominoes with 2 different values. Think about playing them as quickly as possible.
Try to block your opponent
Have you identified that your opponent draws when there is a certain value on the table? The 3 for example? Try to put 3 at the ends to make your opponent have to draw as much as possible.
Block the entire game
Each value is represented on 7 different pieces. If the same value is at both ends of the game and there are no more dominoes available with this value, the game ends. In this case, each player's points are counted. This is a good strategy to implement if you have few points in hand and your opponent has a lot of dominoes in order to win the game on points.