Domino, also known as dominos or Domino’s, is an engaging game that is played with a special set of square tiles arranged in a line of play. The number of pips on the end of each tile is used to determine how far down a player may move his or her pieces and to count a score. Although many different games are played with dominoes, most have very similar, and sometimes identical, rules. The most popular types of domino games fall into four categories: blocking or scoring games, a combination of blocking and scoring games, and a set-building game.
The most common blocking games use a double as the starting point for a line of play. A player begins by placing his or her own double in front of him, and then plays any other tile that matches the pips on the double. The other players then take turns playing their tiles. The player who has the highest total score at the end of the line of play is the winner.
Some domino games have a set order for placing tiles in the line of play, while others allow players to make their own decisions. If a player cannot play his or her tiles, he or she “knocks” and the turn passes to the next player. Some games are a combination of blocking and combination games, in which the player is allowed to make whatever play is necessary to reach his or her goal.
In many games, dominoes are placed in a line called the line of play, string, or layout. The tiles must be played in a particular pattern to prevent them from falling off the table when the line of play extends too far. The open end of the first tile in the line of play must face up. When all tiles have been played, the dominoes left in the line of play are called the stock. The number of pips on these tiles is used to calculate the winner’s score.
When a player draws more dominoes for his or her hand than he or she is entitled to, it is called an overdraw. The extra dominoes are taken away from the player and returned to the stock. The players should then reshuffle the stock before drawing their hands again. In the case of a tied game, the player who draws the heaviest domino starts the new round. Depending on the rules of the game being played, this player may be known as the setter, downer, or leader. Some games require that the winner of a previous round open the next round of play. In other cases, a player who has won the last game may make the first play in the next round. In some games, the winning player must buy the right to make the first play.