Number of Players: 2 - 4
Type of Dominoes Used: Any Domino
Type of Game: Scoring Game
What's unique: If a player should overlook a score, his opponent may call "Muggins!" and take the score himself.
The game may be played in partnership when there are 4 players.
Number of dominoes drawn: If 2 play, each player draws 7 tiles. If 3 or 4 play, each player draws 5 tiles.
The tiles not drawn are pushed to one side to make up the boneyard.
Set: Lots are drawn to determine who sets the first tile. The first player may play any domino in his hand. After the first tile has been set, play continues to the left.
The first double played is a spinner.
How to Play: After the first domino is set, subsequent players must join a tile from their hand with an open end in the line of play. The ends of the two tiles that are joined must have the same number of pips.
If a player is unable to make a play from his hand, he must draw tiles from the boneyard until he draws a playable tile. If a player is unable to make a play from his hand and there are no tiles left in the boneyard, the player must skip his turn until he is able to make a play.
Scoring: A player is awarded points every time he makes a play that results in the open ends of the tiles in the line of play adding up to a multiple of 5. (5 points for 5 pips; 10 points for 10 pips; 15 points for 15 pips; and so on.) Each player must announce his points on making his play in order to receive credit for the points made. If a player overlooks a score, his opponent may call, "Muggins!" and take the score himself.
The player who dominoes is also awarded points at the end of each hand by adding up, and rounding to the nearest multiple of 5, the pips on the tiles left in his Opponents' hands. 1 or 2 pips is worth nothing; 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 is worth 5 points; 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 is worth 10 points; and so on. The first player, or partnership if 4 are playing, to reach 200 points wins the game. If a player reaches 200 points during play, the game ends at that point. If points are tallied at the end of a hand and more than one player has a score of 200 or more, the player with the highest score wins. In case of a tie, follow these rules: If 2 are playing, play two more hands; 3 players, play three more hands; 4 players, play four more hands.
Scoring if hand is blocked: Each player counts the pips on the remaining tiles in his hand. The player with the lowest number of pips scores the difference between his total and that of each of his opponents. Then, the player with the next-lowest number of pips scores the difference between his total and that of each of his opponents, and so on.
Scoring when partners play: Players must play individually, but a common score is kept for partners. When one player dominoes, the number of pips on the tiles remaining in the hand of his partner are subtracted from their score.
Variations: 1) No more than 4 can play, and every player, regardless of the number of players, draws 7 tiles. 2) If 4 play, each draws 5 tiles; if 3 play, each draws 6; and, if 2 play, each draws 7.
Variation: The player holding the highest double in his hand makes the first play by setting that tile. After the first tile has been set, play continues to the left.
Variation: There are no spinners.
Variations: 1) When there are 2 players, the last two tiles in the boneyard may not be drawn. If there are 3 or 4 players, the last tile in the boneyard may not be drawn. 2) If a player has a playable tile, he must play it. 3) A Player may draw from the boneyard even if he holds a playable tile in his hand.
Variations: 1) The first to reach 100 points wins the game. 2) A player is awarded one point every time he makes a play that results in the open ends of the tiles in the line of play adding up to a multiple of 5. (1 point for 5 pips; 2 points for 10 pips; 3 points for 15 pips; and so on.) The player who dominoes is also awarded points - one point for each multiple of 5 - at the end of each hand by adding up, and rounding to the nearest multiple of 5, the pips on the tiles left in his opponents' hands. The first player, or partnership if 4 are playing, to reach exactly 61 points wins the game. If any play made causes the player's or partnership's total score to exceed 61 points, then no points at all are scored for that particular play, and play continues to the left. 3) If a larger group is playing, players may wish to reduce the number of points that must be reached in order to win the game. The number of points to be reached must be agreed upon by all the players prior to the start of the game.
Variations: 1) The player with the lowest number of pips scores the total number of pips in his opponent's hand. If there is a tie for the lowest number of pips, there is no score. 2) The player with the lowest number of pips wins the game.
Reprinted with permission of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., NY, NY from GREAT BOOK OF DOMINO GAMES by Jennifer Kelley, ©1999 by Jennifer Kelley. (The Sterling book is available as PUREMCO'S GREAT BOOK OF DOMINO GAMES)
