Online domino is a fun way to play this popular tile-based game. Players score points by completing chains of tiles with matching numbers on their ends. The first player to do so wins the round. There are many variations of the game, including those that use suits or special symbols. Some of these games are played in pairs, and some are single-player. The rules of the game vary according to the type of domino set used, but all of them can be enjoyed on a computer or mobile device.
The game of domino consists of 28 rectangular tiles, known as bones or “dominoes.” Each tile has two sides with different number values, from zero to six. The tiles with the same value on both sides are called doubles. There are many different types of domino sets, but the most common is a double-six set. Some players may prefer to use a single-six set, however.
Before each game, a player shuffles the tiles face down on a flat playing surface. He then thoroughly mixes the tiles by moving them with his hands. The winner of the previous game will usually do the shuffling for the next game. Alternatively, the players may take turns shuffling for each game.
When the player is able to make a play, he places his tile on the table with its open end facing one of the free ends of the domino chain that has already been built. The number of pips on the exposed end of a tile determines whether it will match a previously laid domino in the chain. If a match is not possible, the player draws from the stock until he has the right tile for his turn.
Each player must follow the basic rules of the game to avoid being penalized for playing out of turn. This includes attempting to block the opponent’s lines of play with the right tile at the right time. It is also important to pay attention to the number of high numbers in your opponents’ hands. If you can predict which number they lack, you can try to trap them by playing a tile that has the same number of pips on both its open ends.
In some domino games, a player may also choose to bye (take an extra tile from the boneyard) or pass his turn. In these cases, the player who has the heaviest domino in his hand makes the first play. There are some games where the first player must always play a double, and others that allow all players to bye at any time. If a player has a double but cannot play it, he must draw from the stock until he has a matching number. In some games, the number of tiles that a player buys from the stock is added to his total score for the round. In others, the number of tiles remaining in the stock at the end of the game is added to the winner’s score.