Quick Rules
This is the classic Draw game, the one most of us learned at the kitchen table. It is played with a double-six set of 28 dominoes. You play against the computer, and each of you starts with 7 tiles. The rest stay face down in the boneyard.
- Starting. Whoever holds the highest double puts it down first. If nobody has a double, the highest tile starts.
- One line, two ends. The tiles form a single line. On your turn, play one tile whose number matches one of the two open ends.
- Doubles are laid crosswise, but they don't branch: the line still has only two ends.
- Can't play? Draw from the boneyard until you get a tile that fits. If the boneyard is empty, you pass.
- Domino! When someone plays their last tile, they score the dots left in the other player's hand.
- Blocked. If neither player can play, the player with fewer dots in hand scores the difference.
- Winning. The first player to reach 100 points wins the game.
Prefer the Block game, a longer game, or more players? Open Settings and pick your house rules. See rule variations for what each one changes.
Help While You Play
- Open ends. Each end of the line has a marker that says its number, like "Open end: 5", and the same numbers are shown above the table.
- Raised tiles. On your turn the tiles that fit are raised with a green border. If a tile fits both ends, both ends light up so you can choose.
- Hint. Tap Hint to see a good move with a one-line reason.
- Why? Tap Why? next to a computer move to see the reason for it.
- Show All Hands and Replay This Deal at the end of each hand.
Tips for Winning
- Play heavy tiles early. Every dot left in your hand goes to your opponent when they go out.
- Get doubles down. A double matches only one number, so it is the easiest tile to get stuck with.
- Keep a mix of numbers. The more different numbers you hold, the less often you have to draw.
- Watch when your opponent draws. If they drew on a 4, they had no 4. Leave a 4 open and they may have to draw again.
- Count the sevens. Each number appears on exactly seven tiles. When six are on the table, the last one is somewhere: in your hand, theirs, or the boneyard.
More strategy tips · For a bigger table, try Mexican Train or Chicken Foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this game free?
Yes. You can play as many games as you like for free, with no account and no download.
Does the computer cheat?
No. The computer can't see your tiles or the order of the tiles in the boneyard. It only knows what you would know at a real table: the tiles on the table, its own tiles, how many tiles you hold, and when you had to draw or pass. At the end of every hand, tap Show All Hands to see every tile that was hidden, including the boneyard. Every game also has a deal number, so you can replay exactly the same tiles and see how a different choice works out.
How do the Easy, Normal and Hard levels work?
Easy usually plays any tile that fits, so it is a relaxed opponent while you learn. Normal plays sensibly: it goes out when it can, gets rid of heavy tiles and doubles early, and keeps a tile that fits the next turn. Hard does all that and also counts which numbers are used up and which numbers you drew or passed on, and it blocks the ends you can't match. No level ever sees your tiles. Change the level in Settings; it starts with your next game.
What is the difference between the Draw game and the Block game?
In the Draw game, if none of your tiles fit you draw from the boneyard until one does. In the Block game nobody ever draws: if you can't play, you pass. The Block game is shorter and leaves more points in the hands. Choose either one in Settings under House rules.
What happens if neither player can play?
The game is blocked and the hand ends. Both players count the dots left in their hands, and the player with fewer dots scores the difference. If the counts are equal, nobody scores that hand.
Who plays first?
The player holding the highest double puts it down to start the line, and the other player goes next. If nobody holds a double, the highest tile starts instead. The game places the opening tile for you.
What does the number on each end of the line mean?
It is the open number at that end, the number your next tile must match. The same two numbers are shown above the table, and the message box spells out what you can do, for example: You have no 3 or 5: draw a tile.
Can I play with more than one computer?
Yes. In Settings you can choose three or four players. With more players everyone gets five tiles instead of seven.
Can I play with my family's house rules?
Yes. In Settings you can switch between the Draw and Block games, play to 100, 150 or 250 points, leave the last two tiles in the boneyard, and choose two, three or four players. Your choices are saved and used from your next game.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. Your game is saved in your browser after every move. Close the page and come back later, and you can pick up where you left off on the same device.
More questions about the rules? See How to Play Dominoes and the rule variations.
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