Buying guide
The best domino sets
A good set makes game night better: tiles with some weight, pips you can read, and a case that lasts. These are our picks. We chose them from the product listings and the pattern in buyer reviews; we haven't played with every one.
As an Amazon Associate, Pipside earns from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t change the price you pay, and it helps keep Pipside free.
Quick picks
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Marion two-tone jumbo | Serious tables that slam their tiles |
| Alex Cramer Tournament Traveler | A set that lasts, in a leather case |
| Pressman Tournament | Family game night on a budget |
| Front Porch Classics travel tin | Beginners, kids and trips |
| WE Games Double Nine | Cuban-style partner dominoes |
Our picks
Best overall
Marion Double Six Two-Tone Jumbo Tournament Set
Thick, jumbo tournament-size tiles in black and white, in a dovetailed wood box.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Tiles about 2 by 1 inches and almost half an inch thick, with a solid feel
- Buyers praise the wood box and the look of the set
- Spinners make shuffling easy
Keep in mind
- Fewer reviews than the big-brand sets
- Stock has been limited
Most durable
Alex Cramer Tournament Traveler
Competition size and weight tiles in a lined leather case, with a lifetime guarantee against chipping and breaking.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Tournament size (2⅛ × 1⅛ × 7/16 inches) with rounded corners
- Well-made leather case with magnetic latches, plus a peg score counter
- Assembled in the USA
Keep in mind
- Costs more than most sets
- A few buyers reported damaged tiles, despite the guarantee
Best on a budget
Pressman Family Classics Tournament Dominoes
A long-selling family set with engraved pips, a polished finish and over a thousand reviews.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Engraved pips and a sturdy vinyl case
- Strong ratings for everyday family play
Keep in mind
- Thinner than true competition tiles, several buyers say
Best for travel
Front Porch Classics Double 6 Travel Tin
A compact tin with big, brightly colored pips that help beginners and kids match tiles.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Small tin that fits in a bag
- Colored pips are easy to read
- Rules for 10 games included
Keep in mind
- A basic set, not tournament tiles
Best double-nine
WE Games Double Nine Dominoes with Spinners
A 55-tile ivory set for Cuban-style partner dominoes, where each player draws 10.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Classic ivory tiles with black pips
- Spinners and a compact snap case
Keep in mind
- Standard size, not jumbo
- Fewer reviews than the other picks
What to look for
Size and weight. Tournament tiles are about 2 inches by 1 inch and close to half an inch thick. Thicker tiles stand on edge by themselves and make a proper sound when you slam one down.
Double-six or double-nine. A double-six set has 28 tiles and plays almost every classic game: Draw, Block, Partners and All Fives. Get a double-nine (55 tiles) for Cuban-style partner play or bigger groups.
Spinners. Some sets have a small metal pin in the middle of each tile. It helps the tiles spin when you shuffle them face down. Some players like them; others think a plain face looks cleaner.
The case. A hard case or a wood box keeps a set together for years. A cardboard box won't.
Keep score with Pipside
Free, no ads, no download. Tap the tiles left in each hand and Pipside adds up the pips.
Start a gameCommon questions
- What size are professional dominoes?
- About 2 inches long, 1 inch wide and close to half an inch thick. Sets sold as tournament or professional size are usually close to that.
- Should I buy a double-six or a double-nine set?
- Start with a double-six. It plays almost every classic game. A double-nine is for Cuban-style partner dominoes and bigger groups.
- How many dominoes are in a set?
- 28 in a double-six set, 55 in a double-nine and 91 in a double-twelve.
- How do you keep score?
- With paper, or free with Pipside: tap the tiles left in each hand and it adds up the pips.