How to Play Dominoes: Draw and Block Rules
Quick answer: key takeaways
- A double-six set has 28 tiles; with two players each takes 7 tiles, with three or four players each takes 5, and the rest form the boneyard.
- Players add tiles to either open end of the line, matching the number of pips on that end.
- In the Draw game a player who cannot play draws from the boneyard until they can; in the Block game they simply pass.
- The player who goes out scores the pips left in every other hand; if the game is blocked, the lowest hand scores the others' pips.
- Play heavy tiles early, keep a variety of numbers, and count which numbers are used up to block your opponents.
Dominoes is one of the simplest games to start and one of the most satisfying to play well. The basic rule fits in a sentence: match the numbers on the ends. But the choice of which tile to play, and when, separates a lucky win from a reliable one. This guide covers the two most popular games, Draw and Block, with the scoring rules and a few tactics.
The set
The standard set is double-six: 28 tiles, each showing two numbers from 0 (blank) to 6. Every combination appears once, from 0-0 to 6-6. Tiles with the same number on both halves, such as 4-4, are doubles. Each number appears on 8 tile ends in the set (7 tiles, counting the double twice).
The pip count of a tile is the total of its two halves: 6-5 has 11 pips, 0-1 has 1.
Setting up
- Shuffle all tiles face down.
- Each player draws their hand: 7 tiles for two players, 5 tiles each for three or four players.
- The remaining tiles stay face down as the boneyard.
Who goes first
A common rule: the player holding the highest double (6-6, then 5-5 and so on) plays it to start the line. If nobody has a double, the player with the heaviest tile starts.
Playing
Players take turns clockwise. On your turn, place one tile at either open end of the line so that the touching halves match. If the line shows 3 on one end and 5 on the other, you can play any tile containing a 3 or a 5.
When a tile fits both ends, you choose which end to play it on. Doubles are usually placed crosswise, but they work exactly like other tiles.
Draw game or Block game
The two games differ only in what happens when you cannot play:
| Rule | Draw game | Block game |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot play | Draw from the boneyard until you can play | Pass your turn |
| Boneyard empty | Pass | (No drawing at all) |
| Typical feel | Longer rounds, fewer blocked games | Faster, more tactical, more blocks |
Ending a round and scoring
A round ends in one of two ways:
- A player goes out (plays their last tile). They score the total pips left in every other hand.
- The game is blocked: nobody can play. Everyone counts the pips in their own hand; the player with the lowest total scores the pips in the other hands. If the lowest totals tie, nobody scores.
Rounds continue until a player reaches the target score, often 100 points. Other popular games, such as All Fives (Muggins), score points during play for making the open ends add up to multiples of five, but the basic matching rules are the same.
Strategy that wins rounds
Play heavy tiles early
If someone else goes out, the pips in your hand count against you. Getting rid of 6-6, 6-5 and 5-5 early limits the damage when a round goes wrong.
Keep a variety of numbers
A hand with tiles for many different numbers can play on almost any end. A hand full of 2s gets stuck the moment both ends show something else. When choosing between two plays, keep the hand that covers more numbers.
Count the numbers
Each number appears on 8 tile ends. If you can see that six 4-ends are already on the table and you hold the seventh, nobody else can play on a 4 except with the last one. Making both open ends show a number your opponents are out of can force them to draw or pass.
Watch what your opponents cannot play
When an opponent draws or passes, they have no tile for either open end. Remember those numbers and try to keep them showing.
Doubles are awkward
A double matches only one number and adds no new number to the line. Play doubles when they are safe, rather than being stuck with one at the end.
In the Block game, think about blocking
Without a boneyard, a blocked game is common. If your hand is light and you can block the game while your opponents hold heavy tiles, ending it on purpose can win the round.
Quick scoring example
Three players play the Draw game. You go out first. The other two hands hold 6-4 and 2-1 (13 pips), and 5-5 (10 pips). You score 13 + 10 = 23 points. If instead the game had blocked with you holding 0-1 (1 pip), you would still have the lowest hand and score the others’ pips. A few rounds like this reach 100 surprisingly fast, which is why getting rid of heavy tiles early matters.
Play dominoes against the computer
The dominoes game on this site uses a double-six set and offers both the Draw game and the Block game against one, two or three computer players. Tiles you can play glow, and when a tile fits both ends you pick a side. The first player to 100 points wins the match.
Ready to practise? Play Dominoes free, or browse more strategy guides.
Frequently asked questions
How many dominoes does each player get?
With a double-six set of 28 tiles, the usual rule is 7 tiles each for two players and 5 each for three or four players. The rest stay face down as the boneyard.
What is the difference between Draw and Block dominoes?
In Draw dominoes, a player who cannot play must draw from the boneyard until they can play or it runs out. In Block dominoes there is no drawing; a player who cannot play passes.
Who goes first in dominoes?
A common rule is that the player with the highest double leads it. If nobody holds a double, the player with the heaviest tile leads.
How do you score when the game is blocked?
When nobody can play, players count the pips in their hands. In common rules, and on this site, the player with the lowest total scores the pips left in the other hands; a tie scores nothing.