Dominoes

games · tiles · patterns · strategy

Rectangular game tiles. Each domino is a flat tile split into two square ends, with one end showing a certain number of dots (called pips) or being blank. A standard set has 28 tiles that show every possible combination of dots from zero to six.

Many games possible. Dominoes work like playing cards or dice, meaning you can invent and play tons of different games with the same set. Players match the dots on their tiles to create chains and score points.

Called different names. Over time and across cultures, people have called these tiles by many nicknames like bones, rocks, stones, or men. The whole collection of tiles together is called a set, deck, or pack.

European domino history. The traditional European domino set has been played for centuries and became one of the most popular ways to use these tiles for gaming.

Toppling fun. Beyond playing games, people discovered you could stand dominoes up in rows and knock the first one over to watch them all tumble down in beautiful chain reactions, creating amazing patterns and designs.