Historie
Dominoes originated in China sometime during the 12th or 13th century, evolving from cubic dice. Chinese dominoes differ from Western sets—they represent all possible throws of two dice and include duplicates for certain combinations. These early dominoes were used for a variety of games with different rules across regions.
The game arrived in Europe in the 18th century, likely through Italy. Europeans modified the set, creating the familiar 28-tile double-six set by adding blank faces (representing the lack of dice spots) and removing duplicates. The name "domino" may derive from the resemblance to Venetian Carnival masks called "domini" (black with white eye holes) or from the Latin "dominus" (lord, master).
Dominoes spread rapidly through Europe and the Americas. Different regions developed their own game variants—Texas 42 emerged in the American South as a trick-taking domino game, while Latin American countries developed complex partnership games. In the Caribbean, dominoes became a social institution, played in parks, beaches, and community gatherings with distinctive slam-and-shout styles.
Today, dominoes remains popular worldwide with competitive tournaments in many countries. The versatile tiles also became famous for "domino toppling"—the art of setting up thousands of standing dominoes to create chain reaction displays.
Rundt om i verden
- Muggins
- All Fives
- Fives and Threes
- Mexican Train
- Chicken Foot
- Texas 42
- Matador
- Bergen
Strategi
Dominoes strategy combines hand management, blocking, and probability assessment.
Count Suits
Track which suits (pip values) have been played and which tiles you've seen. The double-six set has 7 tiles of each suit (0-6). Knowing what's available helps predict opponent holdings and blocking opportunities.
Play Doubles Early
Doubles are harder to play (they need specific suits on both ends). Play them when opportunities arise rather than holding them and getting stuck.
Control Board Ends
If you have many tiles of a particular suit, try to make both open ends require that suit. This increases your playing opportunities while blocking opponents.
Track the Spinner
In games using a spinner (first double played), four ends eventually open. Control these ends strategically.
Watch Opponents
Note what opponents draw from the boneyard. If someone draws repeatedly trying to match 4s, they probably have few 4s. This information guides your play.
Block Strategically
Near the end of the hand, force blocks when you have lower pip totals than opponents. Blocking when ahead is smart; blocking when behind is desperate.
Save Flexibility
Keep tiles that can play on multiple ends. A 3-5 can play on 3s or 5s. A 6-6 can only play on 6s. Flexibility gives options.
Read the Board
If several suits are running low (few tiles remaining of that value), consider "blocking off" that end to trap opponents holding those tiles.
Partnership Communication
In team games, help your partner by creating ends they can play. Read their plays to understand what they need. Block opponents together.
Varianter
Dominoes encompasses many games using domino tiles:
Draw Game
The basic game described above. Simple and widely played.
Block Game
No drawing from the boneyard—if you can't play, you pass. Faster games with more blocking.
Muggins (All Fives)
Score points during play when open ends total a multiple of 5 (5, 10, 15, 20). Adds scoring strategy.
Texas 42
Trick-taking game with dominoes used like cards. A domino trick-taking game is similar to Spades. Very popular in Texas.
Mexican Train
Each player builds their own "train" plus a communal Mexican Train. Uses a double-twelve set (91 tiles). Good for larger groups.
Chicken Foot
After playing a double, three tiles must branch off (forming a "chicken foot") before normal play continues.
Matador
Instead of matching ends, tiles must sum to 7. Doubles are wild "matadors."
Concentration
Memory matching game—tiles placed face-down, flip two at a time to find matching pip totals.
Bergen
Score points when both open ends match (2 points) or one end matches the played tile (1 point).
Fives and Threes
Similar to Muggins but scoring multiples of 3 and 5. Popular in British pubs.
Ofte stilte spørsmål
A spinner is a double that allows play on all four sides. Usually the first double played becomes the spinner. It creates a cross shape where the line of play branches into four directions.