How to Play Dominoes

Know the set

A double-six set has exactly seven dominoes of each number: the double and one domino pairing it with every other number. Seven fives, for example:

That number, seven, is the key to everything below. Count how many of a number are on the board and in your hand, and you know how many are still out there.

Beginner habits

• Get rid of doubles early. A double only matches one number, so it's the hardest domino to place. Hold it too long and the board can close on it.
• Keep your hand varied. If you can choose between two plays, keep the one that leaves you more different numbers. Five dominoes showing five different numbers can answer almost any board.
• Shed heavy dominoes when it's safe. If the round ends in a block, the lowest count wins. Dumping a early keeps your count low in case it comes to that.
• Play to your strength. If you hold several of one number, steer the board toward it: you'll be the one who can always follow.

Read the passes

A pass is the most useful thing you'll see all round. When a player knocks, they hold neither of the two open numbers.

• If the ends were 3 and 6 when someone passed, they have no threes and no sixes. Keep the board on those numbers and they'll keep passing.
• Watch what the next player avoids, too. Someone who always plays on the same end may be short on the other number.
• Work out who's left holding a number: subtract what's on the board and in your hand from seven, then rule out everyone who has passed on it.

Blocking: when, and when not to

Closing the board ends the round on a count. Before you play the blocking domino, add up your hand and think about everyone else's.

• Block when you're light. Holding one or two small dominoes while others hold several? A block is close to a sure win, and blocking it yourself earns +1.
• Don't block when you're heavy. If you lose a round you blocked, it costs you a point. When you're holding the big numbers, keep the board open and play down your count first.
• See the block coming. When both ends show the same number and only one or two of it are unaccounted for, the round is about to lock. Shed your heaviest domino now.

The endgame

• Set up a key. Going out with a domino that matches both ends is worth an extra +2. With two dominoes left, try to make the ends match your last one on both sides.
• Count what the leader needs. When a player is down to one domino, look at what they've passed on. If you can keep both ends on numbers they've shown they don't have, they're stuck.
• Think about the game, not just the round. Under Ducks, the game ends once everyone has a round win. If you're ahead and one player still has none, letting them win a round can end the game in your favour, though you give up the +3 for dropping SIX on them.

Practise

The fastest way to build these habits is to play a lot of hands. Try them out in a Solo game against the bots, where nothing counts, then take them to a ranked table.