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Dominoes – the Draw and Block games against the computer

West
Boneyard 14
Your tiles · 41 pips · your turn

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Quick answer

Dominoes is a free tile-matching game with a double-six set that plays instantly in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download, sign-up or ads. Play all your tiles by matching the numbers on the open ends; score the pips left in the other hands; first to 100 wins.

Dominoes at a glance
What it isTile-matching game with a double-six set
GoalPlay all your tiles by matching the numbers on the open ends; score the pips left in the other hands; first to 100 wins
ModesDraw game or Block game; against 1, 2 or 3 computer players
ControlsTap a glowing tile to play it; ◀ or ▶ when it fits both ends; Draw and Pass buttons
Players1 against 1-3 computer players
PriceFree, no ads, no sign-up, no download
Works onPhones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser

Strategy guide: How to Play Dominoes: Draw and Block Rules

Board games compared

Board games compared
GameTypeModesControls
ChessTwo-player strategy board gameAgainst the computer (Beginner, Club, Tactician: minimax search with alpha-beta pruning and piece-square tables) or 2 players on one device; play White or BlackTap or click a piece, then a highlighted square; arrow keys and Enter; undo
CheckersTwo-player diagonal capture board game (draughts)American rules on 8×8: compulsory jumps, multi-jump chains, kings that move both ways; Easy, Medium and Hard computer or 2 playersTap a piece, then each landing square; arrow keys and Enter; undo
DominoesTile-matching game with a double-six setDraw game or Block game; against 1, 2 or 3 computer playersTap a glowing tile to play it; ◀ or ▶ when it fits both ends; Draw and Pass buttons
BackgammonTwo-player race board game with diceAgainst the computer (Easy, Medium, Hard with a one-roll lookahead) or 2 players; gammons and backgammons count double and tripleRoll, tap a checker, then a highlighted point; undo moves until you press Done
Tic Tac ToeTwo-player line-up game (noughts and crosses; Five in a Row / Gomoku)3×3 against Easy, Medium or Unbeatable (full minimax) or 2 players; 15×15 Five in a Row against Easy or HardTap a square; arrow keys and Enter; keys 1-9 on 3×3
Four in a RowTwo-player vertical strategy board gameAgainst the computer (Easy, Medium, Hard with a minimax search) or 2 players on one deviceTap or click a column, or press 1-7; arrow keys and Enter; undo

The classic tile-matching game

Dominoes is played with 28 tiles, each showing two numbers from blank to six. Players take turns adding a tile to either end of a line, matching the numbers that touch. The first player to play every tile wins the round and scores the pips their opponents are still holding.

Strategy tips

  • Dump heavy tiles early. If an opponent goes out, every pip in your hand counts for them. Play 6s and 5s first.
  • Play doubles when you can. A double fits only one number, so it is easy to get stuck with it later.
  • Keep variety. A hand with many different numbers can answer more ends.
  • Watch the passes. When someone passes or draws, they do not have the numbers on the ends. Leave those numbers open to block them.
  • Count the tiles. Each number appears on seven tiles. If five of the 4s are on the table, the 4s are nearly gone.

Draw or Block, two to four players

Play the Draw game for longer rounds, or the Block game for a tighter, tactical match. Add up to three computer players for a full table.

How to play Dominoes

  1. 1

    Lead the highest double

    Each player gets seven tiles (five with three or four players). Whoever holds the highest double plays it first.

  2. 2

    Match an open end

    Tap a tile with a number that matches one end of the line. Playable tiles glow; if a tile fits both ends, tap ◀ or ▶ to choose.

  3. 3

    Draw or pass

    In the Draw game, draw from the boneyard until you can play. In the Block game, or when the boneyard is empty, you pass.

  4. 4

    Score the round

    Go out first to score the pips left in every other hand. If nobody can play, the lowest hand scores. First to 100 points wins the match.

More board games

  • Chess

    The full game of chess against three computer levels or a friend, with move hints and undo.

  • Checkers

    Classic 8×8 checkers with forced jumps and kings, against three computer levels or a friend.

  • Four in a Row

    Drop discs and line up four before your opponent. Three computer levels or two players.

  • Backgammon

    Race all fifteen checkers home and bear them off first. Three computer levels or a friend.

  • Tic Tac Toe

    Classic 3×3 noughts and crosses with an unbeatable computer, plus Five in a Row on 15×15.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Draw and Block?

In the Draw game a player who cannot play takes tiles from the boneyard until they can. In the Block game there is no drawing; you simply pass, so planning and blocking matter more.

How are points counted?

The pips are counted for you. The player who goes out scores the total of the pips left in all the other hands. In a blocked round the player with the lowest total scores the other hands; a tie scores nothing.

How many players can play?

You play against one, two or three computer players. With two players each starts with seven tiles and fourteen stay in the boneyard; with three or four, each starts with five.

How smart are the computer players?

They play heavy tiles and doubles early, keep a varied hand, and remember when someone passed or drew, so they can leave numbers on the ends that the next player does not have.

Which set is used?

The classic double-six set: 28 tiles, every pair of numbers from blank to six once, 168 pips in all.

Prefer a solo puzzle?

Sudoku is pure logic with one solution per grid, in four difficulty levels.

Play Sudoku
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