Classic Dominoes — Rules
Classic dominoes is the simple "draw" game for two, played all over the world. In our version points are penalties, so you try to stay below 101.
1. At a glance
- 2 players, each for themselves
- Double-six set (28 tiles), 7 tiles each
- 14 tiles in the boneyard; its last tile is never drawn
- Goal: do not reach 101 penalty points
2. How to play
- Each player gets 7 tiles. A hand with 5+ doubles, or 6–7 tiles of one number, is reshuffled automatically.
- The first hand of the game is opened by the lowest double, and that double must be played: 1-1 is lowest, then 2-2 … 6-6, and 0-0 counts as highest. With no doubles, the lowest tile opens.
- Every later hand is opened by the winner of the previous hand, with any tile; after a blocked game, by the last player who played a non-double.
- Match a tile to one of the two open ends. Doubles go crosswise.
- If you cannot play, tiles are drawn for you one at a time until you can. With one tile left in the boneyard, you pass.
- The hand ends when a player plays their last tile ("domino!") or nobody can play (a blocked game).
3. Scoring
- The loser adds their own leftover pips to their own score. The winner adds nothing.
- A lone 0-0 left in hand counts 10.
- Blocked game: the lower hand wins and the other player takes their own total. On a tie the points "hang" and go to whoever is penalized next.
- Rule of 13: while your score is 0, a hand worth less than 13 is held, not written, and added once you take 13 or more in one hand. If your opponent starts holding points, yours are cleared. It does not change who opens the next hand.
- Example: you go out; your opponent holds 5-4 and 6-2 and writes 17.
4. Winning the game
As soon as someone reaches 101 or more, that player loses and the other wins. Each player has a 15-minute clock for the whole game; running out of time loses.
5. Table options
- Game to 101, 201, 301 or 501
- Rule of 13 on/off (on by default)
- Bonuses: extra penalty when 6-6 or 0-0 is the first or last tile played
- Full fish: the blocked game's loser also takes the winner's pips
- First double: later hands must open with a double if you have one
- Two doubles in one turn
- Time control