What is Dominoes?

Dominoes (دومينو) is one of the most popular table games in the Arab world, played daily in homes and cafés across the region. Using a set of 28 rectangular tiles, each divided into two halves showing 0-6 pips (dots), players take turns matching tile ends to build a chain. The Block variant — the most common in Arab countries — adds an extra layer of strategy: when you can't play, you must pass (no drawing from the boneyard). This makes hand management and blocking your opponent critical skills. Simple to learn, endlessly strategic.

How to Play Dominoes

Dominoes (Block variant) is a tile matching game:

1. Setup: Shuffle all 28 tiles face-down. Each player draws 7 tiles. The remaining tiles are not used (no boneyard drawing in Block variant).
2. Starting: The player with the highest double (6-6, 5-5, etc.) plays first. Place the starting tile in the center.
3. Play: Take turns placing tiles that match one of the open ends of the chain. If you can't play, you must pass. Doubles are placed perpendicular to the chain.
4. Scoring: The round ends when a player empties their hand (they win and score the opponent's remaining pips) or when both players pass (blocked — lowest pip count wins). First to 100 points wins the game.

Frequently Asked Questions