DominoesStars is played using a double six set and 2-4 players can play (it is common that 4 handed games are played in partnerships). 

Players’ scores are maintained during the game to determine the winner at the end of the game.

Players are dealt tiles at the beginning of the game. The number of tiles is determined by the number of players in the game:

2 players - 7 tiles per player

3 players - 5 tiles per player

4 players - 5 tiles per player

Remaining tiles are placed on the table and form the “boneyard”.

The player that is the first to play is determined by a lot. During consequent rounds, however, the first player to act is the player who managed to domino in the previous hand. If the previous hand was blocked the new player will be the one that played the last bone.

The first player places a tile on the table and the other players are required to match their half-tiles to the ends of the tile on the table.

In general, double tiles are counted as the total of their pips. The first double in the game is played as a spinner, which means it will be placed perpendicularly to the other tile, thus creating a four-way chain of dominoes. Only the first double is played as a spinner. When a spinner have a tiles from both sides, tiles can then be matched on either end of the 4 exposed tile ends and so forth. If a player can’t play a tile he must draw a tile from the boneyard until he can match a tile or until there are no more tiles left on the table.

As soon as a player matches a tile in his hand to a tile on the table he must match it and his turn ends. If he still can’t play his turn passes to the next player. The hand is played until all players are blocked or until a player dominoes.

 

 

 

After a player matches a tile his score is calculated based on the open ends on the table (2, 3, or 4).

 If the total is calculated based on multiples of 5

 (i.e. 1x5, 2x5, 3x5,…,6x5) the player immediately scores that number.

 

 The turned doubles and spinner on the ends of the arms score the total of their pips (i.e. 5-5 is worth 10 points, 6-6 is worth 12 points etc.).

 When counting tiles placed on the sides of spinner only those tiles’ ends are counted.

 When the hand is finished the totals are counted, and given to the player that dominoed, or to the player with the lowest points when the game is blocked. Normally the game is played up to a previously agreed score, such as 250 for 2 players or 200 for 4 players. 

3 + 2 = 5	2 + 3 = 5
3 + 1 + 6 = 10	8 + 2 = 10

DominoesStars is a great domino variation to play – the game is fast and the strategy is sophisticated. To quickly master some of the basics follow these guidelines:

In any domino game, the player who can count the outstanding tiles will have an advantage.

Novice players don’t think in multiples of 5. They won’t look for a combination that will yield 5. Instead, they will look for arms that end in 5.

 The highest possible score in one move is 30. A player can gain 30 points with the 6-6 tile, along with tiles that show 6 on the remaining 3 arms.

 Try to leave a total as small as possible to the next player so he won’t be able to make much out of it.

 If you play to domino you in fact play to block, as you’ll have the lowest negative score. In the following hand you’ll have the advantage which is very important if you’re close to winning.

When you’re leading in the game play a tile that’s worth 10 points in order to score at an early stage. To control the arms play a double tile. When other players draw tiles you’ll know what the player was missing. If that player draws a tile and uses it, you can force the tableau to end in tile values that he doesn’t have, thus forcing him to draw from the boneyard.

 You have 3 possible goals to play for: scoring, blocking, or domino (i.e. placing the final tile). When playing to score (the most common strategy) you try to get the highest score without caring which player dominoes. When you play to block or domino, you’re playing to force a blocked game so you’ll get the lowest negative score. That’s a more sophisticated way to play and requires counting suite to make sure there are no tiles with the suite on the arms of the tableau. Domino-ing doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the highest score in a hand. Try to control the tiles in the game and get a specific suit on the arms of the tableau and guarantee that you can play on your next turn.

Domino Strategy

DominoesStars Scoring

DominoesStars Game Rules and Game play

DominoesStars.com Team

Good Luck,