How to Play Dominoes With 2 Players: Block and Draw Rules

Dominoes is one of the easiest games to learn and one of the best for two people. You only need a set of tiles, a flat surface and about fifteen minutes. This guide explains the standard set, how to deal for two players, the two most common versions (the block game and the draw game), how to score, and a few tips. At the end there is a free dominoes game you can try in your browser.

The domino set

The most common set is the double-six set. It has 28 tiles. Each tile is split into two squares, and each square shows from 0 to 6 dots (called pips). Every combination appears once, so there are seven "doubles" (0-0, 1-1, up to 6-6) and 21 other tiles.

Larger sets also exist, such as double-nine with 55 tiles. The rules below work for any size, but this guide uses double-six.

Setting up for two players

1. Turn all the tiles face down on the table and shuffle them. This pile is called the boneyard.
2. Each player takes 7 tiles and stands them up so the other player can't see them.
3. The 14 tiles left over stay face down in the boneyard. In the block game they are not used.
4. Decide who goes first. A common rule is that the player with the highest double starts. If neither has a double, the player with the heaviest tile (the most pips in total) starts. In many house rules, the winner of the last game starts.

The basic rule: match the ends

The first player puts one tile in the middle of the table. After that, players take turns adding one tile to either end of the line. A tile can only be placed if one of its halves has the same number of pips as the open end it touches. For example, if the open end shows a 4, you can play any tile with a 4 on it, and the other half of your tile becomes the new open end.

Doubles are usually placed crosswise (sideways) across the line. In some versions, a double also opens a new branch, but in the simple two-player game they just sit across the end.

Version 1: the block game

The block game is the simplest. If you cannot play a tile, you pass. You never draw from the boneyard.

The round ends in one of two ways:

• Domino: one player plays their last tile.
• Block: neither player can play, because all the open ends are used up.

Scoring a domino: the winner scores the total number of pips on the tiles still in the other player's hand.

Scoring a block: both players count their pips. The player with the lower total wins the round, and many people score the difference between the two totals. Others score the total of both hands. Agree on one way before you start.

Version 2: the draw game

The draw game is the same, except that you do not pass if you can't play. You draw tiles from the boneyard until you find one that fits. If the boneyard runs out and you still can't play, you pass. Most rules say you must stop drawing when only two tiles are left, and from then on you pass instead. Check this rule before you start.

Since you can pick up many extra tiles, the draw game gives you more chances to recover from a bad hand. It also means the game is less about blocking and more about getting rid of your tiles.

The round ends when a player plays their last tile or when both players are stuck. Scoring is the same as in the block game.

Playing to a target

Most people don't stop after one round. They play a series of rounds and keep a running total. The first player to reach a set number of points wins the match. A common target is 100 points. Some games use 150 or 200 for a longer match. The free block game we tried lets you choose 100, 150 or 200 before you start.

A popular variation: all fives

In "all fives" (also called Muggins or Fives), you score during the round. After you play a tile, add up the pips on the two open ends. If the total is a multiple of 5, you score that number right away. For example, ends showing 3 and 2 give you 5 points, and ends showing 6 and 4 give you 10. At the end of a round, the winner also scores for the opponent's tiles, usually rounded to the nearest 5. This version rewards counting, and it is a good one for people who like maths.

Tips for two players

• Get rid of your high tiles early. In both versions, tiles with many pips cost you points if you are left holding them.
• Keep a variety of numbers. If your tiles show many different numbers, you are less likely to get stuck.
• Remember what has been played. There are only seven tiles of each number. If five of the sixes are on the table, you know your opponent has few of them.
• Notice when your opponent passes. If they pass on a 5, they have no 5s in their hand. You can use that to plan your next moves.
• Try to block them. In the block game, you can aim to leave the ends on a number your opponent has already played out.
• Don't hold doubles too long. A double can only be played on a matching number, so it is the hardest tile to get rid of.

Common questions

Who goes first? Usually the player with the highest double. If nobody has a double, the highest tile starts, or the winner of the last round.

Can I play dominoes without a physical set? Yes. Free dominoes games run in the browser, so you can play on a phone, a tablet or a computer.

Is dominoes a game of luck or skill? Both. Your starting tiles are random, but good players count tiles and plan which ends to leave open.

Play dominoes online

You can play dominoes free in your browser with no download. See our dominoes 2 player page for the game we picked and what its menu offers. In another block-style game we tried, you could choose how many players take part and set the points target (100, 150 or 200) before the first hand.

If you like dominoes, you may also enjoy backgammon, Reversi and our list of the best board games for 2 players.