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Icons courtesy of komodomedia.com
A fast-paced competition using dominoes.
Number of players:
These rules work well with two players, but by adding dominoes you could play with more.
Equipment:
For two players, you'll need a set of 55 9-dot dominoes. You'll also need a small shoebox or similar container to place the dominoes in.
Setup:
- Select a narrow table and seat both players across from each other. Both players need to be able to reach the far side of the table.
- Mix up the dominoes and place them face down in the box.
- Place the box between the players, but off to the side. Both players need to be able to reach the box, but the table between them should be clear.
Play:
Both players play at the same time for the entire game. At their own pace (though they should hurry), both players take dominoes one at a time from the box. Each domino may be played in one of the following ways:
- A player may place the domino in front of himself, starting a new chain of dominoes toward their opponent. There is no limit to the number of chains a player may start.
- A domino may be placed at the end of an existing chain in front of a player if one of its numbers matches the number at the end of the chain. Dominoes may only be added to the end of the chain progressing toward their opponent (Chains may not be "grown" from both ends).
- If either number on the domino matches the number at the end of an opponent's chain, the player may place the domino at the end of the opponent's chain, and shove the entire chain off the table onto the floor. Dominoes on the floor may not be re-used.
Winning the game:
The first player to successfully build a chain consisting of five dominoes wins.
NOTES:
- As described above, this game is only a couple of minutes in duration. It will probably be desirable to play a "best seven out of ten" game.
- Different styles of dominoes could be used, though you'll probably find that you'll need to make the goal length shorter with six-dot dominoes, as matches will be more common and chains will be more frequently pushed of the table.
- This works well with two players, but could likely be scaled up to more if additional sets of dominoes are added, and the players are willing to crowd around a small table
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nice game
sounds like kids would love this one, the more noise from dropping tiles the better. I am not sure if I think going as fast as you can or taking turns is better? I like the idea of going really fast but then it may turn people off if they are slower then you?
There is the risk of turning
There is the risk of turning someone off if they're not as fast as you are. The game mechanic is so simple though, that I don't think it'll hold up if played slowly. Since so many dominos match, a turn based game gets to easy, I fear - you'd have plenty of time to work out the correct next move, and the game runs forever (well, until you run out if dominos). Besides, pushing your opponent's line onton the floor just as they're about to complete it is a special thrill.
My original plan was for no turns
Both players just blind draw dominoes as fast as they can. The result is a very hectic game. It's true, you can run out of dominoes before a winner is determined. Since a round only takes about two minutes, you just play again. It's really far more suited to a "best of seven" kind of thing than just playing through once.
The teamwork option is very interesting. I feel like it almost makes it too easy though, since one player on the team could just play offense, and the other defense?
That is one strategy
Or one person grabs the dominoes while the other places it, or one person plays the game while the other acts as a distraction. I'm sure that there are many other possibilities.
Specialization of tasks
I think what makes the game in its current form work at all is that there's too much to keep track of. You have to simultaneously track what's on your side of the table, and on your opponent's. If you can divide this labor up, it seems like it would get too easy. Maybe if I actually got four or five people together, some multiplayer strategies would evolve. Maybe there would need to be some regulation on which players can build, like you can only place on a row that has been extended by your teammate?
Let me make sure I got this.
Player A draws a single domino and starts a chain. Player B does likewise. They then take turns with blind draws and either making or blocking chains. Is that right?
What happens if you run out of dominoes before a winner is determined?
I wonder how a more hectic approach might be, without turns. You draw one domino at a time still, but as soon as you place it on the table you can reach for another one. This can also work with teams. The rule about not reaching for a new domino before the last one was laid will have to be pretty carefully enforced, though.
Another multi-player variation (with or without turns) is to have partners sitting across from one another, and building chains from either direction. Chains are only removed once both sides are blocked. There shouldn't be confusion as to which chain is whose, as enemy chains are always going to be horizontal to each player. The downside to this is that it doesn't really work with three players, without one person having a severe handicap.
A more tactical game can be had by having open draws. That is, you get to pick your own domino rather than blindly draw. The tactical part is whether to pick one that you need for an existing chain, one that blocks you opponent, or picking a domino just so your opponent cannot. Yet another more tactical option is to have more than one domino on the initial draw, giving you a pool of three or five or whatever. You still only play one at a time, and still draw a new one every turn. Combining this option with the other tactical option could really slow the game down, however. Of course, it can be sped back up with the no-turn option.