Dominó (dominoes): the most popular ways to play

Among the most popular dominoes variants in Spain are partnership dominoes, the classic bar game with 7 tiles per player, and individual or draw dominoes, where you take tiles from the pile when you cannot play. Scoring variants such as dominó a múltiplos de cinco (all fives dominoes) are also popular.

Partnership dominoes

This is the best-known version: four players, two against two, with 7 tiles each and no draw pile. The first pair to run out of tiles wins or, if the game is blocked, the pair with the lowest points total. We explain it in our guide to the rules of dominoes.

Individual or draw dominoes

With two or three players, there are tiles left over, so they are set aside in a pile. If you cannot play, you draw until you can. Luck plays a bigger part, and it is a great way to learn.

All fives dominoes

In this variant, which is widespread in other countries, you score during the hand: if the open ends of the chain add up to a multiple of five, you score that many points. It calls for a lot more calculation.

Other variants

• Dominó doble nueve (double-nine dominoes): played with 55 tiles, to accommodate more players.
• Tren mexicano (Mexican Train): each player builds their own line.
• Local variants: every bar has its own rules about opening plays, passing or scoring.

To improve at any of these, start with our basic dominoes strategies.