Domino rules
Partner dominoes rules
Partner dominoes is four players in two teams of two. It's the game you'll see at a lot of Latin American and Caribbean tables, usually played to 500.
Setting up
- 1Four players, two teams. Partners sit across from each other, so turns alternate between the teams.
- 2Mix the 28 tiles face down. Everyone takes seven, so every tile is dealt.
- 3In the first hand, whoever holds the double-six leads with it. After that, many tables let the winning team lead.
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.
If the game blocks, the team with the lower count wins the hand.
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 gameCommon 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.