Edition: Classic double-six dominoes with 28 tiles from 0 and 0 to 6 and 6, played as the draw game. Last checked October 25, 2026
Dominoes Rules: How to Play Dominoes (Draw Game)
Dominoes is one of the oldest family games, and anyone can learn it in a few minutes. Here are the rules for the draw game with a double-six set, and answers to the questions that start the most arguments.
- Players
- 2 to 4
- Age
- 5 and up
- Playing time
- 15 to 30 minutes
How to win: Be the first to play all your tiles. If you play several rounds, the first to reach an agreed score wins.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Dominoes.
Do you have to draw if you could play a tile?
No.
In the common family version you only draw when you cannot play. If you can play, you must.
Some allow drawing even when you can play, to save your good tiles. Some classic rule books allow it too, and it makes the game more tactical.
How many tiles does each player get with 3 or 4 players?
It depends.
There is no single official answer. A common rule set gives 7 tiles each with 2 or 3 players and 6 each with 4.
Many families, especially in the US, deal 5 tiles each with 3 or 4 players, which leaves more in the boneyard.
Who goes first if nobody has a double?
The player with the heaviest tile.
The usual rule is that the highest double starts. If nobody has a double, the player with the most pips on one tile starts.
Many let the winner of the last round go first instead, or the youngest player.
Can you play on all four sides of a double?
Not in the classic draw game.
In the classic draw game there are only two open ends. A double is placed crosswise, but play only continues along the line.
In some versions, like All Fives (Muggins), the first double becomes a spinner, so you can play in all four directions.
How do you settle a blocked game?
Fewest pips wins.
If nobody can play, everyone counts the pips on their tiles. The player with the fewest wins the round and scores the others' pips minus their own.
If the pip counts are tied, it is common to call the round a draw with no points.
What you need
- 28 dominoes from 0 and 0 to 6 and 6
- Paper and pencil if you keep score
Setup
- 1Turn all the tiles face down and shuffle them.
- 2With 2 or 3 players, each draws 7 tiles. With 4 players, each draws 6 tiles.
- 3The rest of the tiles stay face down as the boneyard.
- 4Stand your tiles on edge so only you can see the pips.
How to play
- 1The player with the highest double, like 6 and 6, plays it first. If nobody has a double, the player with the heaviest tile starts.
- 2Play goes clockwise.
- 3Play a tile on one of the two open ends so the numbers match, like 4 against 4.
- 4Doubles are traditionally placed crosswise.
- 5If you cannot play, draw from the boneyard until you can play a tile.
- 6If the boneyard is empty and you cannot play, you pass.
- 7The first player to play all their tiles wins the round.
- 8If nobody can play, the game is blocked. Then the player with the fewest pips left wins.
Keeping score over several rounds
The winner of the round scores the total pips on the opponents' tiles. Play, for example, to 100 points with 2 players and to 61 points with 3 or 4 players.
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Dominoes rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles are in a set of dominoes?
A classic double-six set has 28 tiles, from 0 and 0 up to 6 and 6.
Who goes first in dominoes?
The player with the highest double, which is usually the 6 and 6.
Can young kids play dominoes?
Yes. Dominoes works well from about age 5, because you only need to recognize and match the number of dots.
Source: Common American, Danish and international tradition for the draw game. There is no single official rule set. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.