Among board games, Dominoes is one of the most popular ones. Although, compared to other board games, its look is not that fanciest, but it has no lack of players.
Dominoes is played with a number of tiles. And, of course, you need a flat surface to play on.
There are 28 tiles altogether. One side of all the tiles is divided into two parts. These parts have markings ranging from zero (no marking) to six (six dots).
One tile is totally empty of any marking.
This simple and charming game has equally simple rules.
Let us see what those rules are, using Pogo's online version of the game.
The most basic domino variant is for two players and requires a double six sets.
To play, the players have to put down a tile corresponding to the one put before. If the numbers of the end tiles add up to any multiple of five (5), that will be the number of points the player gets.
The game starts with each player taking seven tiles each (randomly) from the 28. The rest of the tiles are kept aside. This pile of 14 tiles is called 'the bone yard' (as the tiles are sometimes called 'bones'). Each of the players is to keep the tiles in a way that no one else can see them.
To start the game, one player has to put down a tile. Usually, it has to be the one having the highest number, from among the ones that have double numbers on them (i.e. Two 2's, two 3's, two 6's, etc.). If the player has no tile with double numbers, he can just put down the one with the highest number.
Now, the other player has to put down a tile that has a number, which is the same as one of the parts of the first tile.
The game goes on like this.
The tiles gradually start forming lines.
And, players score if the end tiles make the numbers that are divided by 5.
If a player can not put down any tile, although he has one or more than one (this happens when none of his tiles has a matching number), he has to take one tile (or more, if that one does not match either) from 'the bone yard'.
This way, when one player puts down all his tiles, he is declared the winner. And, if the bone yard runs out of tiles, the one that has the least number (sum of the numbers of his remaining tiles) is called the winner.
Easy, is it not?
There are a number of variations of this game, which can be a little tricky. This basic structure is most played and is the most popular.
After all, simplicity is the most fun, right?
Fun Fact
A domino effect or chain reaction is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a chain of similar events. The term is best known as a mechanical effect, and is used as an analogy to a falling row of dominoes. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively small.
Take a look at this wonderful video whre 128,000 Dominoes falls into past a journey around the world and breaks 2 Guinness World Records.