Domino rules
Draw dominoes vs. block dominoes
The two most common domino games are the same except for one rule: what you do when you can't play.
The one difference
| Block game | Draw game | |
|---|---|---|
| Can't play? | Pass | Draw from the boneyard until you can |
| Boneyard tiles | Stay out of play | Get drawn during the hand |
| Hands tend to | End sooner, and block more often | Last longer |
Everything else is the same: seven tiles each from a double-six set, match an open end, first to go out scores the pips in the other hands.
Which one should you play?
With four players, all 28 tiles are dealt, so there's no boneyard and every game is a block game. With two or three players, the draw game keeps more tiles in play and makes for longer hands. Pick whichever your table likes.
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
- Can you pass in the draw game?
- Only when the boneyard is empty and you still can't play.
- Is partner dominoes a block game?
- Yes. All 28 tiles are dealt to four players, so there's nothing to draw.