Dominoes are a family of tile-based games that are hugely popular all over the world. There are many different games that can be played using a domino set, and each game has its own unique rules and strategy. Whether you’re looking for a quick game to play between friends or want to challenge yourself to an online domino tournament, there’s something for everyone.
The basic rules for most domino games are fairly simple. Players must place tiles so that the open ends match other tiles, and scoring occurs when all of the matching pairs are placed. The first player to score all of their points wins the game. However, each domino game has its own rules regarding a winning score. Some games count the total number of pips remaining in a loser’s hand, while others only consider a losing player’s remaining tiles that are left on the board when calculating their score.
In most domino games, the heaviest double or single is the starting point for the round. The first player to play all of their tiles and make a total of 100 points wins each round. The rules for different games also vary in terms of who shuffles the dominoes. Some games require each player to shuffle before playing, while other games allow the winner of the previous game to shuffle for the next game.
When shuffling, it is important to thoroughly mix the tiles by moving them with your hands. It is also recommended to use a flat surface to help with this process. It is also possible to use a card shuffler to shuffle the dominoes. If you’re playing a game with more than one player, it is best to have two different players do the shuffling for each game.
After the tiles are shuffled, each player draws a domino from the stock and makes the first play according to the rules of the game. Some games require that the player making the first play has a certain heaviest tile, while other games simply require the player to draw a domino from the stock that’s higher than any of the existing tiles in their hand.
The player to the right of the player who made the first play adds a new tile to one of the free ends of the existing dominoes. Then the player to his or her right continues adding tiles that have matching numbers to the existing lines of play, while attempting to block out the opponents’ moves.
If you have an iPhone or iPad, there are several apps available that let you play dominoes with other players. The most popular app is Domino! by Flyclops, which lets you play with Facebook friends and contacts or random people. The app also has a Blitz mode that makes taking turns much faster than other multiplayer iOS domino games.
Another popular domino game is Chickenfoot, which is a fun way to compete with friends or strangers. The object is to have the lowest score, which is determined by counting the pips remaining in your hand after the final round of play.