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Domino rules

Partner dominoes rules

Partner dominoes is four players in two teams of two, with partners sitting across from each other. All 28 tiles of a double-six set are dealt, seven each, so nobody draws: if you can't play, you pass. When either partner plays their last tile, the team scores the pips left in the other team's hands (many Caribbean tables count all four hands), and the first team to 500 wins. It's the game you'll see at a lot of Latin American and Caribbean tables.

Setting up

Abuela and Lucía are one team, you and Rafa the other. Turns go to the right (counter­clockwise), so they go back and forth between the teams.
  1. 1Four players, two teams. Partners sit across from each other, so turns alternate between the teams.
  2. 2Mix the 28 tiles face down. Everyone takes seven, so every tile is dealt.
  3. 3In the first hand, whoever holds the double-six leads with it. After that, at many tables the lead (la salida) moves one seat around the table; at Puerto Rican tables the winner of the last hand usually leads. Pipside moves it one seat unless you change it.

Playing a hand

Play goes around the table. On your turn, play a tile that matches an open end. If you can't, say “paso” and pass. There's no boneyard to draw from.

When either partner plays their last tile, the whole team wins the hand.

Scoring

The winning team scores the pips left in the two opponents' hands. The first team to 500 wins the game.

Say Lucía plays her last tile. Here's what's left:

  • LucíaWent out
  • Abuelapartner, doesn't count7
  • You13
  • Rafa13
13 + 13 = 26 for Abuela and Lucía. Abuela's 7 doesn't count.Counting the winner's partner's tiles too? Then it's 33.

Table talk

You can't tell your partner what you hold. But every tile you play says something. Lead your strongest number, keep your partner's number open, and cover the numbers the other team wants.

Keep score with Pipside

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

Start a game

Common questions

What do you play to in partner dominoes?
Usually 500. Some tables play to 200 for a shorter game.
Do partners sit next to each other?
No. Partners sit across from each other, so the teams take turns.
Can you draw in partner dominoes?
No. All 28 tiles are dealt, so if you can't play, you pass.
Who wins a blocked game in partner dominoes?
At many tables, each team adds up both partners' pips and the lower team wins the hand. Some tables give the winners every pip on the table, others only the other team's. If the teams tie, nobody scores. Agree before you start.

Where these rules come from

Tables play differently. These are the most widely documented rules we checked against.