Basic dominó (dominoes) strategies to improve your game

A winning strategy in dominó (dominoes) is to lead with the number you have most often, get rid of doubles early and watch which numbers force each player to pass. If you also help your partner play their tiles, you can take control of most hands.

1. Play your strongest number

If you have lots of tiles with a 4, you want plenty of fours on the table: you will always be able to play, while your opponents will have to pass. Lead with that number whenever you can.

2. Play doubles as early as possible

A double can only be played on its own number. If you wait too long, that number may run out, leaving you stuck with the tile. And if the game becomes blocked, a high double adds a lot of points.

3. Count the tiles

Each number appears on 7 tiles. If six tiles with a 3 have already been played, you either know who has the remaining one or know it is still in someone’s hand. This is much like counting trumps in card games.

4. Read the passes

When someone passes, they are telling you which numbers they do not have. If an opponent passes on a 5, try to leave fives at the open ends.

5. Play for your partner

Just as in Guiñote (a Spanish trick-taking card game) or Mus (a Spanish partnership card game), you cannot win at partnership dominoes on your own. If your partner led with a particular number, try to keep it on the table.

Not familiar with the rules yet? Start with the rules of dominoes.