Dominoes
Classic tile-matching game played across cultures worldwide with rectangular tiles divided by a line, each half showing 0-6 (or higher) pips; goal is typically to be first to play all tiles or reach a target score.
What is Dominoes?
Dominoes is a family of tile-matching games played with rectangular 'domino' tiles. Each tile has a line dividing it into two halves; each half is marked with 0-6 pips (dots) — standard 'double-six' set has 28 tiles from [0-0] to [6-6]. Larger sets: double-nine (55 tiles), double-twelve (91), double-fifteen (136), double-eighteen (190). Origins traced to 12th-century China (先花 or 'Chinese dominos'); European variant introduced in 18th-century Italy, spread to England + France. Now popular globally: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Trinidad have professional leagues + international championships. Rules vary widely by region: Draw dominoes, Block dominoes, Muggins (5-3-5 all-fives), Chicken foot, Mexican Train, Bergen, All-fives, Cross dominoes. Federation Mondial de Domino (FMD) organizes the World Domino Federation Championship. Most common professional formats: Partido (Cuban 2v2 partners) + All-Fives.
Quick facts
Category
Tile Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–8
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
table
Country of origin
🇨🇳 China
Estimated origin
12th-century China; European variant Italy 18th century; global by 19th century; professional Cuba/Caribbean by 20th century
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
How it works
Objective
Common: be first to play all tiles OR reach target score (100-200 points) by scoring in various ways (matching sums to 5s, ending game, playing spinner).
Match structure
Each player draws hand of tiles (7 in double-six, 5-8 in larger sets). First tile laid (usually player with highest double). Play continues clockwise: each player matches one end of a tile in hand to open end of chain. Score events per rules. First to empty hand OR reach target score wins.
Rules
Basic rules
Setup
Shuffle tiles face-down; each player draws set number (7 in double-six, 5 in double-nine).
First play
Player with highest double (or highest tile) plays first, placing it face-up in centre.
Match ends
Each subsequent play must match one end of chain (same pip count).
Doubles played crosswise
Double tiles typically played perpendicular ('spinner') and both ends may be extended.
Pass if no play
If player has no matching tile, draw from boneyard (draw variant) OR pass (block variant).
Going out (chip-out)
First player to play all tiles empties hand + scores opponents' remaining pips.
Blocked game
If no player can play, lowest-pip-count hand wins that hand.
Advanced rules
All-Fives / Muggins scoring
Score points when sum of open ends is multiple of 5 (e.g., 5, 10, 15). Points added to score during play.
Bergen scoring
Score when open ends match; different multiples score different points.
Cuban partido rules
4 players (2v2 partners); double-nine set; score 250 to win match.
Mexican Train
Casual variant with personal + shared 'trains'; players stuck may draw + play 'chicken foot'.
Chicken foot
Every double must be surrounded by 3 tiles before regular play resumes.
5-3-5 rule
In some variants, playing chain-ends totaling 5s scores 5 pts.
Boneyard (draw variant)
Extra tiles set aside for drawing if unable to play.
Scoring
Varies by variant. All-Fives: 5-multiples per turn. Chip-out: opponent's remaining pips at game end.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| All-Fives / Muggins: open ends sum to multiple of 5 | Points equal to sum (5, 10, 15) |
| Chip-out (empty hand) | Sum of opponents' remaining pips (rounded to nearest 5) |
| Blocked game (no plays possible) | Lowest-pip player wins hand |
| First to target (100-200) | Game / match won |
| Cuban partido: 250 to win match | Standard team score |
Win condition · First to target score wins. Or first to empty hand + chip-out bonus.
Playing area
Called
table
Dimensions
Rectangular table; central play area typically 50-80 cm; enough for chain of 10-30 tiles.
Standard table with 4-6 chairs. Chain of played tiles grows outward from double 'spinner' at centre.
Equipment
Domino tiles
Standard: double-six set (28 tiles); double-nine (55); double-twelve (91). Ivory/plastic/wood/bone.
Score pad + pencil
Track cumulative points across hands.
Storage box
Wooden or plastic tray for tiles.
Officiating
Casual: self-regulated. Tournaments: judges verify tile play + enforce time limits.
- No official in casual play
- Tournament Director + Judges in international championships
Strategies
Tile counting
Track which pip-counts have been played to deduce opponents' remaining tiles.
Blocking play
Deliberately end chain on pip-count opponents likely don't have — force them to draw or pass.
Partner signal (partido)
Cuban partido uses tile play patterns to signal partner.
Doubles management
Doubles are hard to play; get rid early to avoid getting stuck.
Save low pips for chip-out
If opponent likely to win the round, prefer low-pip tiles remaining to minimize points against you.
Terminology
- Tile / Bone / Stone / Piece
- Individual domino tile.
- Pips
- Dots on tile halves representing numbers 0-6 (or higher).
- Double
- Tile with same pip count on both halves (e.g., double-six [6-6]).
- Spinner
- Central double tile from which chain extends in 4 directions.
- Boneyard
- Face-down remaining tiles; drawn from when unable to play.
- Chip-out
- Playing your last tile to empty hand + score opponents' pips.
- Blocked game
- No player can play; scored by lowest-pip hand wins.
- Chain / Layout
- The sequence of played tiles on table.
- Open end
- End of chain available for new tile placement.
- All-fives / Muggins
- Scoring rule: 5-multiple totals on open ends score points.
- Partido
- Cuban partner format 2v2 dominoes to 250 points.
- Mexican Train
- Casual variant with personal + shared trains.
- Chicken foot
- Variant where doubles must be surrounded by 3 tiles before play resumes.
- Sniff
- First tile played (Cuban terminology).
Major competitions
World Domino Federation Championship
biennial · worldwide (rotating) · since 2000
Caribbean Championship (Cuba/DR/PR/Trinidad)
annual · Caribbean · since 1995
US Domino Championship
annual · USA · since 1990
British Dominos Championship
annual · UK
Domino Federation India
annual · India
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Federation Mondial de Domino (FMD)
Founded 2000 · Cuba (rotating)
Official site ↗American Domino Foundation
Founded 1990 · USA
Confederación Panamericana de Dominó
Founded 1993 · Latin America
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- José 'Cheo' Ariza (Cuba) — Multi-time Caribbean champion; legend of Cuban partido
- Ismael 'Pepe' Alfonso (Cuba) — 3× World Champion (2005, 2008, 2012)
- Miguel Vergel (Venezuela) — 2× World Champion (2016, 2020)
- Rafael Pina (Puerto Rico) — Multi-time Puerto Rican champion
- Ovaldo Melero (Trinidad) — 2× Caribbean Championship winner
- Alfonso Vega (Dominican Republic) — 3× DR national champion
Records
Largest domino set
Guinness World Record (double-eighteen) — 190 tiles (2010)
Longest domino chain (art)
Sinners Domino Entertainment (Germany) — 596,229 dominoes toppling world record (2019)
Fastest 'chip-out' game
World Championship 2015 — Under 4 min (2015)
World Championship attendance
FMD 2018 Cuba — 500+ competitors, 32 nations (2018)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Learn basic block dominoes
2-4 players, no draw pile; simplest variant.
- 2
Add draw variant
Include boneyard; more strategic.
- 3
Learn All-Fives scoring
Most common competitive scoring system.
intermediate
- 1
Cuban partido
Partner play 2v2 with signals + team strategy.
- 2
Mexican Train casual play
Fun family variant with 5-8 players.
- 3
Tile counting
Track played tiles to deduce opponents' hands.
advanced
- 1
National/regional championships
Cuban / Caribbean / US championships.
- 2
World Championship qualifier
Top national players qualify for World Championship.
- 3
Federation Mondial de Domino
Every 2 years, 32 nations, 500+ competitors.
Frequently asked
How many tiles in a standard domino set?+
Double-six (standard): 28 tiles. Double-nine: 55 tiles. Double-twelve: 91 tiles. Double-fifteen: 136 tiles. Double-eighteen (largest): 190 tiles. Formula: (n+1)(n+2)/2 for double-n set.
Where did dominoes originate?+
China 12th century (originally 'zi' tiles, related to mahjong). European variant introduced in 18th-century Italy (from missionaries returning from China) + spread through France + England. Global by 19th century.
How do you win at dominoes?+
Depends on variant. All-Fives: reach 100-200 points first (scored during play). Block/Draw: be first to empty hand (chip-out) + score opponents' remaining pips. Cuban partido: reach 250 pts partner-total.
What is Cuban partido?+
The most popular competitive dominoes format in Cuba + Caribbean. 4 players in 2v2 partnership; double-nine set; play to 250 pts. Uses tile-play signals for partner communication. Highly strategic + fast-paced. Cuban World Championship dominates FMD event historically.
How to play Mexican Train?+
Casual variant popular in USA/Mexico. Each player has personal 'train' (chain) + all share a 'Mexican Train'. Players play matching tiles to trains; if can't play, must draw + place 'chicken foot' marker on train. Player who empties hand first wins.
What is All-Fives / Muggins?+
Scoring variant of dominoes: after each play, count the sum of the two open ends of the chain. If sum is multiple of 5 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25...), player earns those points. First to 100 or 200 wins. Very popular competitive variant.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Dominoes— Wikipedia
- Federation Mondial de Domino— FMD