Dominoes Rules: How to Play Draw, Block and All Fives
Updated: · 🔗 Online with a friend🤖 Vs computer🌍 Random opponent
Dominoes is a classic tile game played with a 28-tile double-six set. On your turn you add a tile to one open end of the line, matching the number at that end; the first player to empty their hand wins the hand and scores the pips left in the opponents' hands. Zipi offers four rule sets: Draw, Block, All Fives and partnership Block (Gaple).
▶ Play Dominoes Online nowFree, no download, no sign-up.
The tiles
A double-six set has 28 tiles. Each tile has two halves showing 0 to 6 pips. A tile with the same number on both halves is a double, and there are seven of them, from 0-0 to 6-6. A tile's value is the total of its pips: 6-6 is the heaviest at 12 and 0-0 is worth nothing.
Rule sets and the deal
| Game | Players | Tiles | Boneyard | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | 2 | 7 each | 14 tiles, drawing allowed | 100 |
| Block | 2 | 7 each | No drawing, pass | 100 |
| All Fives | 2 | 7 each | 14 tiles, drawing allowed | 150 |
| Partner Block (Gaple) | 4, 2 vs 2 | 7 each | None, all tiles dealt | 100 |
Tiles are shuffled face down and everyone takes 7. The rest form the boneyard.
Who starts
In the first hand of a match the player with the highest double opens with it (6-6 first, otherwise 5-5 and so on). If nobody holds a double, the heaviest tile opens. In later hands the winner of the previous hand opens with any tile.
In All Fives every hand opens with the highest double, and if no double was dealt the tiles are reshuffled.
Playing a tile
- On your turn add a tile to one of the open ends so the touching numbers match. With a 4 at an end you can play 4-1, 4-6 or 4-4 there.
- Doubles are placed crosswise but do not change the number at that end.
- Draw and All Fives: if you cannot play, draw from the boneyard one tile at a time until you can. If the boneyard is empty, pass.
- Block and Partner Block: there is no drawing; if you cannot play, you pass.
In Zipi the places where your selected tile can go appear as ghosts on the line.
End of a hand and scoring
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| A player plays their last tile (domino) | Scores the total pips left in the opponents' hands |
| Blocked game, nobody can play | The side with fewer pips wins and scores the opponents' pips |
| Blocked game with equal pips | Nobody scores |
In Partner Block both partners' pips are counted together, and the winning team scores the other team's total. A side that reaches the target (100, or 150 in All Fives) with the scores not tied wins the match.
Zipi variant: some tables give the winner of a blocked game only the difference between the two sides. In Zipi the winner scores all of the opponents' pips.
All Fives rules
In All Fives you also score during the hand. After placing a tile, if the open ends add up to a multiple of 5 (5, 10, 15, 20 ...) you score that many points at once.
- A double at an end counts both halves: a 6-6 on an end counts 12.
- The first double played is the spinner. Once both of its sides have tiles, its top and bottom open too and the line grows in four directions.
- While one side of the spinner is still empty, the spinner counts both halves.
- At the end of a hand the opponent's remaining pips are rounded to the nearest 5.
Example: the 5-5 spinner is down and 5-3 is played to its right. The ends total 10 (spinner, both halves) + 3 = 13, no score. You play 5-2 on the left: the ends are now 2 + 3 = 5 and you score 5.
Common mistakes
- Holding heavy tiles to the end: if your opponent dominoes, a 6-6 and 6-5 in your hand cost a lot.
- Relying on one number: if that number disappears from the ends, you get stuck.
- Forgetting which numbers the opponent passed on: a pass means they lack that number, so leave it open.
- Missing easy points in All Fives: add up the ends before every move.
Dominoes strategy tips
- Drop heavy tiles early: especially in Block, pips left in your hand are your opponent's points.
- Keep variety: holding many different numbers lowers your chance of passing.
- Count the boneyard: in Draw, track how many tiles remain and how many your opponent has drawn.
- Control the ends: keep your strong numbers open and close off your opponent's.
- Play doubles while you can: a double only fits one number and can easily get stranded.
- Support your partner: in Partner Block keep their numbers open and block the opponents'.
Play dominoes online on Zipi
Dominoes opens in your browser on Zipi with no app or account. In the career you climb level by level against a bot that plays smarter as you win. In Partner Block you and a bot partner face two bots. Online you can play a two-player match against a friend via room code or a random world opponent; the boneyard and hands are held on the host's device, so you never see your opponent's tiles.
FAQ
How many tiles are in a dominoes set?
A double-six set has 28 tiles, each half showing 0 to 6 pips.
Who goes first in dominoes?
In the first hand, the player with the highest double opens with it. In later hands the previous winner opens with any tile.
What if I cannot play a tile?
In Draw and All Fives you draw from the boneyard until you can play, or pass if it is empty. In Block and Partner Block you simply pass.
Who wins a blocked game?
If nobody can play, the side with fewer pips wins and scores the opponents' pips. Equal pips means no score.
How does All Fives scoring work?
Whenever the open ends add up to a multiple of 5 after your move, you score that total at once. Leftover pips at the end of a hand are rounded to the nearest 5.
What is a spinner?
In All Fives it is the first double played. Once both sides have tiles, its top and bottom open as well, so the line grows four ways.
What score do you play dominoes to?
In Zipi Draw, Block and Partner Block go to 100 and All Fives to 150.
