Race to the target score (usually 200). You score points by making the open ends of the board add up to a multiple of 5. That's it. Simple math, deep strategy.
28 dominoes, each with two numbers (0–6). You get 7 tiles with 2 players, 5 tiles with 3–4. The rest go in the boneyard (draw pile).
Whoever has the highest double (6|6, then 5|5, etc.) plays it first. This tile becomes the spinner — the center of everything.
Match one of your tiles to an open end on the board. No match? Draw from the boneyard until you can play. Boneyard empty? Pass.
The spinner can be played on all 4 sides. North and south open up once left and right each have a tile. That means up to 4 open ends for scoring.
After you play, add up all open ends. If the total is divisible by 5, you score that many points:
5 · 10 · 15 · 20 · 25 · 30...
🔥 Doubles count both halves. A 4|4 at the end = 8, not 4. This is huge for scoring.
Someone plays their last tile? "Domino!" — they win the round and get bonus points from everyone else's leftover pips. If nobody can move, the player with the fewest pips wins.
You + an AI partner vs two opponents. Shared score. Your partner's leftover pips get subtracted from the bonus, so teamwork matters.
🧮 Count the ends before every play — know the sum.
🎲 Play doubles early — they're hard to get rid of later.
🌈 Keep variety — different numbers = fewer draws.
🚫 Watch who draws — they're missing something. Exploit it.
💡 Use hints — the AI will suggest the best move (costs 5 pts).