The first player starts by laying one domino in a line, and each subsequent player must match the value on one end of their domino to part of the previous tile. A double domino that has the same value on both ends is known as a spinner, and it opens up lines for new tiles.
Origin
Domino is a game that originated in China and is played worldwide. The oldest known dominoes are bone and wood, but they also come in many different materials. The rules of domino are straightforward and easy to learn. The game can be enjoyed by people of all ages and is popular among children, teens, and even senior citizens.
The history of domino is a little bit unclear, but it can be traced back to the 12th century. A Chinese account called Chu sz yam (Investigations on the Traditions of All Things) states that they were invented by a nobleman who presented them to the Emperor and had them circulated abroad. Other scholars claim that they were invented much earlier and that they were developed independently by different cultures at different times throughout human history.
Rules
Depending on the game, there are different rules and regulations that apply to domino. For example, some games have no bogus plays (tiles that are played but do not connect to the line of play). If a player notices a bogus tile, they must stop playing and call a UDL official to resolve the issue.
The players shuffle the tiles and draw hands to determine who will make the first play. Generally, the player who draws the highest double will go first. Other rules require the heaviest domino in a player’s hand to make the first play.
In most domino games, the number of points a player scores depends on the total number of exposed ends of the line of play. The number of exposed ends may also be divisible by a certain number, such as five.
Variations
There are a number of variations to the domino game. The most popular is the two-player blocking game. In this version, a standard double-six set is used and each player draws seven tiles. These are shuffled and placed face down on the table. The remaining tiles form the boneyard. The starting double of the first player is chosen from these tiles and a marker, usually a white tile with a single pip on each end, is placed on it.
Players then alternately extend the line of play by placing a tile on an open end of a previously played domino. The winner earns points equal to the total pip count of his or her opponent’s remaining tiles. Other scoring methods include the block game and muggins, which requires that the sum of open ends on the layout be a multiple of five.
Materials
Dominoes can be made out of a variety of materials. They are usually made of wood, plastic, or metal but can also be made out of stone. Many people make their own domino sets from reclaimed materials like plywood and old throwaway planks from construction sites.
The earliest dominoes were made of ivory or sheep or cattle bone. Later, tinplate became the main material used to make dominoes. Tobacco companies were among the first to advertise on domino sets, giving them away to customers.
Today, most dominoes are made from cheap wood or common plastic. They can be found in different colors and can have company logos printed on them. Some are even stamped with the player’s name. Other types of dominoes are made from natural materials, such as marble, soapstone, and carved wood. These have a more unique look and can be quite expensive.
Scoring
In many games, the scoring system is a key component. This is because it determines who wins the game. It is important to remember that the scoring system is based on a set of rules and may vary from one game to another.
For example, in Muggins players score points each time the domino they place has an open end that is a multiple of five. In addition, the players score their winning hands based on the total of the pips in their opponents’ outstanding tiles.
The most important rule of scoring is that the two matching ends must touch each other. Otherwise, the player cannot build a chain with this tile. Also, a double cannot be played diagonally to a single domino. This causes a snake-line to develop on the table, which is frustrating for players and adds little entertainment value.