Domino games are played using a set of tiles, which are placed on a flat surface. Each tile contains a number on each side, which is used to represent the result of a roll of two dice. The goal is to play the domino in such a way that one end of the domino is positioned in such a way that it touches another end of the domino chain.
Traditionally, European dominoes are made from bone or dark hardwood such as ebony. These are usually marked with a symbol or a number on each side, but some have no marking. A variety of sets are available, ranging in size from 1 inch to 2 inches in width and length. There are also special versions that allow the dominoes to be joined to all four sides.
The game begins with a platform of three or four dominoes. The winner of the previous hand picks the first domino and places it face down in the middle of the table. The remaining players take turns adding dominoes to the platform. It is important to keep track of the total number of tiles that you have in your hand. This will make it easier to see the number of tiles that other players have in their hands.
The player with the highest double leads the game. Typically, this will be a double-six. The next player will lead with a double-five or a double-four. If a tile has the same number on both ends of the chain, this is referred to as having “stitched up” the end of the domino.
Players then play their dominoes, alternating in order to extend the line of play. When a player chips out, the game is over. For example, a player may chip out a single tile, a double, or both. Once a player chips out, the other player has the opportunity to place the remaining tile, a double, or both.
Before the game begins, the players agree on the target score. They may either have a fixed number of rounds to play, or they may choose a number that is predetermined. Some games have a limit of 150 or 200 points. In a scoring game, the player who scores the most points wins. Other games give the winner a point for each dot in the losing player’s hand.
Typically, the dominoes are placed edge to edge on a table. The tiles are typically 1 to 2 inches long and 3/8-inch thick. However, some versions of the game allow the tiles to be joined to all four sides of the table.
The first tile to be played is a typical double-six. Next, the second tile is played to the right of 6-6. On the third tile, a vertical tile is played. Finally, the fourth tile is played, which produces open ends of 5 and 5.
Often, the goal of a domino game is to score as many pairs as possible. As the set of dominoes grows, it becomes harder to know the pips on the tiles. Therefore, the strategy of playing domino is about making the best decisions, not about luck.