How to Play Dominoes: Rules for Block, Draw and Train Games

Learning how to play dominoes takes about five minutes: match the numbers on the ends of your tiles to the open ends of the line on the table, and be the first to play all your tiles. This guide covers the standard block and draw games with a double-six set, which are what most people mean by dominoes, and then the popular train game played with a double-twelve set, where everyone builds their own line from a central hub. You will find setup, how many tiles to draw, scoring tables and tips for 2 players and bigger groups.

Quick rules

• A standard double-six set has 28 tiles. Each tile has two ends showing 0 (blank) to 6 pips.
• Shuffle the tiles face down (the "boneyard"). For 2 players, each draws 7 tiles. For 3 or 4 players, each draws 5.
• The player with the highest double starts by placing it in the middle.
• On your turn, place one tile so that one of its ends matches an open end of the line.
• Block game: if you cannot play, you pass. Draw game: if you cannot play, you draw from the boneyard until you can.
• The hand ends when a player plays their last tile ("domino") or nobody can play.
• The winner scores the pips left in the other players' hands. First to 100 points wins.

What you need

• A double-six domino set (28 tiles) for the block and draw games.
• A double-twelve set (91 tiles) and a central hub, plus small markers for each player, for the train game.
• A flat table, and paper or our scoreboard to keep score.

Setup

1. Turn all tiles face down and shuffle them by sliding them around the table.
2. Each player draws their tiles: 7 each for 2 players, 5 each for 3 or 4 players. Some groups use 7 tiles each for 3 or 4 players in the block game; agree first.
3. Stand your tiles on edge so only you can see the pips.
4. The remaining tiles stay face down as the boneyard.
5. Whoever holds the highest double (6-6, then 5-5, and so on) places it first. If nobody holds a double, the tile with the most pips starts.

How to play

The block and draw games

1. Play passes to the left. Each player adds one tile to either open end of the line, matching the pips. A 6-3 can go next to an open 6, leaving a 3 open.
2. Doubles are traditionally placed crosswise to show they are doubles, but they still only have two open ends in these games.
3. Block game: if you cannot match either end, say "pass" and the next player goes.
4. Draw game: if you cannot match, draw tiles from the boneyard one at a time until you can play. When the boneyard is empty, you pass. In 2-player games, leave the last two tiles in the boneyard undrawn.
5. When a player places their final tile, they call "domino" and the hand ends.
6. If no one can play (the game is "blocked"), the hand ends and the player with the lowest pip total in hand wins.

The train game (double-twelve)

1. Round 1 starts with the 12-12 placed in the hub. Remaining tiles are shuffled and drawn: 15 each for 2 to 4 players, 12 each for 5 or 6, and 10 each for 7 or 8. Rule sheets vary slightly on these numbers.
2. Each player builds a personal train, a line of matching tiles that starts from the hub with a 12. There is also one public train that any player can start and add to.
3. On your turn, play one tile on your own train, on the public train, or on any train that has a marker on it.
4. If you cannot play, draw one tile. If you can play it, do so. If not, put your marker on your train. Your train is now open to everyone until you play on it again, which removes the marker.
5. Doubles: when you play a double, you play again. The double must be covered by a matching tile before anyone plays anywhere else. If you cannot cover it, draw; if still unable, place your marker and the next players must try to cover it.
6. When you have one tile left, tap it on the table or announce it to the group.
7. The round ends when a player plays their last tile, or when the boneyard is empty and no one can play.
8. Round 2 starts with the 11-11 in the hub, then 10-10, and so on down to the 0-0, for 13 rounds.

Scoring

A common train game house rule makes the 0-0 worth 50 penalty points if you are caught holding it.

How to win

In block and draw dominoes, reach the target score first, usually 100 points for 2 players. In the train game, you want the lowest total, so empty your hand each round or at least get rid of heavy tiles.

Variations

• Muggins (all fives): a scoring game where the first double played becomes a spinner that can be played on all four sides, and you score whenever the open ends add up to a multiple of 5.
• Partnership dominoes: 4 players in two teams sitting opposite, 7 tiles each, with team scores combined.
• Three-way doubles: a related double-nine or double-twelve game where every double must be covered with three tiles before play moves on.
• Bigger sets: double-nine sets allow more players in the block and draw games.

Tips and strategy

• Play heavy tiles (lots of pips) early so they do not count against you if someone dominoes.
• Keep a variety of numbers in your hand so you can match more ends.
• Count what has been played. Each number appears on 7 tiles in a double-six set; once most are gone, you can block opponents.
• In the train game, keep your own train private as long as possible and plan a long chain from the hub on your first turns.
• Get rid of doubles when you can; they are harder to place later.

House rules to agree first

• How many tiles each player draws, and whether you pass or draw when stuck.
• The target score: 100, 150 or a fixed number of hands.
• In the train game, whether you must start your own train before playing on the public one, and the value of the 0-0.

For more table games, see our mahjong rules, backgammon rules, board games for adults and board games for kids.