What is Bergen?
Bergen is a scoring game for the double-six set in which you count matches, not pips. Each player is dealt 6 tiles with two or three players and 5 with four. The holder of the lowest double must lead it; if nobody holds a double, the tiles are dealt again.
Whenever a play leaves both ends of the line showing the same number, the player scores a double-header, worth 2 points. If one of those matching ends is a double, it is a triple-header, worth 3. The opening double counts as a double-header, so leading it scores at once. Close to the end of the match the value is cut: a side within 2 points of the target scores only 1 for any header, and a side 3 points short scores at most 2.
A player who cannot play draws from the boneyard, but the last two tiles are never drawn. Playing your last tile scores 2 points. If nobody can play, the side holding the fewest doubles wins the hand and 2 points, and fewer pips decide between sides with equally few. Hands are dealt until a side reaches 15 points with two players or two partnerships, or 10 with three or four.
Rule changes
| Rule | Standard Dominoes | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Deal | Standard Dominoes7 tiles each with two players, 5 each with three or four. | Bergen6 tiles each with two or three players, 5 each with four. |
| Lead | Standard DominoesThe holder of the highest double leads, with any tile. | BergenThe holder of the lowest double must lead that double, in every hand. If nobody holds a double, the tiles are dealt again. |
| Points during play | Standard DominoesPlaying a tile scores nothing. | BergenBoth ends showing the same number: a double-header, 2 points. If one of them is a double: a triple-header, 3 points. Within 2 points of the target a header scores 1; 3 points short, at most 2. |
| Drawing | Standard DominoesA player who cannot play draws until a tile fits or the boneyard is empty. | BergenThe same, but the last two tiles of the boneyard are never drawn. When only two are left and no tile fits, you pass. |
| Going out | Standard DominoesThe first player out wins the game and is credited with the pips left in the other hands. | BergenThe first player out wins the hand and scores 2 points. |
| Blocked hand | Standard DominoesThe lowest pip total in hand wins; equal lowest totals are a draw. | BergenThe side holding the fewest doubles wins 2 points. Between sides with equally few, the one with fewer pips wins; a full tie scores nothing. |
| Length | Standard DominoesOne hand decides the game. | BergenHands are played until a side reaches 15 points with two players or two partnerships, or 10 with three or four. The match ends the moment the target is reached. |
| Other options | Standard DominoesTwo to four players, with partnership play at four seats. | BergenThe same. With partners, the two partners' points add up and the side plays to 15. |
History
This game follows the usual rules of Bergen: the deal of 6 or 5 tiles, the lowest double leading, two boneyard tiles that are never drawn, 2 points for a double-header and 3 for a triple-header, the reduced headers near the end, 2 points for going out, and a match to 15 points for two players or 10 for three or four.
The origin of the name is not known. It is not known whether the game has any connection with the city of Bergen in Norway or with Bergen op Zoom in the Netherlands.
Published rules disagree on some details. There are versions in which the highest double leads, or going out is worth 5 points, and there are three ways to settle a blocked hand: American rules, German rules and a simple count of pips. This game uses the German rules, which look first at who holds the fewest doubles and then at the pips.