All domino rules

Domino rules

Dominican dominoes rules

In the Dominican Republic, dominoes is close to a national sport. The game is partner dominoes with a double-six set, usually played to 200, with bonuses for the plays everyone loves.

The basics

  1. 1Four players in two teams, partners across from each other. All 28 tiles are dealt, seven each.
  2. 2Whoever holds the double-six (el burro) leads the first hand. After that, the winner of the last hand usually leads.
  3. 3If you can't play, pass. There's no drawing.
  4. 4The first team to 200 wins. Some tables play to 100.

Counting the points

When a player goes out, their team scores the pips left in the other hands.

Bonuses

NameWhat it meansCommon bonus
CapicúaGoing out with a tile that fits either end (not a double)+25, sometimes +30
Pase de salidaThe lead makes the next player pass+25
Pase redondoYou play and all three others pass+25

The tranque

If the game blocks, many Dominican tables compare just two hands: the player who closed the game and the next player. Fewer pips wins, and a tie goes to the player who closed it.

Keep score with Pipside

Free, no ads, no download. Tap the tiles left in each hand and Pipside adds up the pips.

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Common questions

What is el burro in dominoes?
The double-six. At many Dominican tables, it leads the first hand.
What is a pase de salida?
When the first tile of the hand makes the next player pass. Many tables pay +25 for it.
Does a double count as capicúa?
At most Dominican tables, no. The last tile has to be a non-double that fits both ends.