Dominoes are a set of rectangular blocks that form the basis for many table games. They are also known as bones, cards, men, or tiles, and they can be made from a variety of materials. Typically they are twice as long as they are wide, which makes them easy to stack and re-stack after use. They have a line down the middle to divide them visually into two square ends, with one end having more spots, called pips, than the other. Some dominoes may have a blank (no pips) or a double (both ends equal the same number of pips).
Most domino games involve emptying one’s hand while blocking opponents’ play. Other play formats include scoring games such as bergen and muggins, which determine points by counting the pips (spots on a domino) in the losing players’ hands. Some domino games duplicate card games, including trump and acey-deucey.
In most domino games, a player begins by drawing seven dominoes for his or her hand. These are placed in front of the player and the remaining dominoes, known as the boneyard, are left face down on the table for later drawing. The first player to play all of his or her dominoes wins the game.
The basic domino set contains 28 rectangular blocks, each with a different color and a different number of pips on one side. Some sets feature a single color throughout, while others have colors mixed on the blocks to give each block a different appearance. Some manufacturers offer extended sets with more tiles, including a double-nine set (55 tiles) and a double-twelve set (91 tiles).
Each domino is a rectangle with a line down the middle to separate it visually into two squares, each of which has a number of pips. Each end of a domino has a specific value, which ranges from six pips to blank or no pips. Most dominoes are stacked in lines to make them easier to use. The pips on the dominoes are used to indicate the rank of the tile, its value in a game, and other information.
There are many different ways to play domino games, and each game is a little different from the next. Some are more complex than others, but all require careful observation and strategic thinking to win. Whether you are playing a domino game with family, friends, or strangers, it can be a great way to spend time together.