Block is one of the easy basic games with dominoes. It is describes here
in a standard format.
There is one great distinction between Draw games and Block games. In Block
games all dominoes are distributed among the players. There is no Boneyard
from which players draw dominoes when they cannot play.
Number of players
The game is for 2 to 4 players.
Time
about 10 minutes
Materials
One domino game with stones 0-6.
Object of the game
The first player to score 100 or more points wins the game. For a short game
play to a total of 50 points, to be agreed in advance.
The deal
All bones are shuffled face down. Each player receives 8 bones minus the
number of players. Thus, with 2 players, each player receives 8-2=6 bones.
The remaining bones are left in the middle and are the stock, usually called
boneyard. To start the player with the highest double puts it in the middle.
The turn then rotates to his left.
The rules
The end
The game ends when one player goes domino (plays his last bone) or when all
players have consecutively passed. The player who dominoes or, if everyone
passed, the player with the least number of spots, scores points equal to
the number of spots on the stones in the hands of all other players.
Small variations
Hoyles rules of games suggests to make the number of bones dealt initially
as 7 bones for 2 players and 5 bones for 3 or 4 players.
Strategy
There is not a lot you can do in a simple game like this, but rough basic
guidelines are:
Regional
variations
Hungarian
Players: 2-4.
Deal:
2 players: 12 each; 3 players: 8 each; 4 players: 6 each. The remainder is
not used.
The player with the highest number of points starts the game with the tile
of his choice. The player may play more than one tile and continue playing
untill he can no longer match an open ended tile on the table. Then the next
player may play as many tiles as possible, untill no-one can play. The remaining
points of all players are written down, and the first player to reach or
surpass 100 loses the game.
Italian
Players: 3-5.
Deal: 3 players: 8 each; 4 players: 6 each; 5 players: 5 each. The remainder
is the stock.
Every player counts the total number of pips on all his tiles and the player
with the highest total starts by playing one of his tiles. He mentions the
toptal number of points aloud, for example '10' for a '4-6'.
Thex player may add any tile from his hand. There is no requirement that
the tile must match. For example, he adds a 2-3 to the 4-6, and mentions
aloud: 15, the total number of points now on the table.
As soon as the total on table reaches 30, 50, 70 or 100 points, the player
scores 10 points.
The first player to score 50 points wins the game.
Mexican
Where I live, the game we play is for 4 players. Each one takes 7 pieces, and your partner is the one who is in front of you. Begin the 6-6, and the play continues clockwise until one player finish, the remaining points of both the contraries are added to the winning team, until some team reach 100 points. This is the most challenge way of playing domino.
(Xavier Macías, Mexico)
Jamaica
With 2 people we play either draw with each player taking 7 and drawing from the boneyard until they can play a card. Or just drawin one which ever is prefered.
With three you leave out the double blank and take 9 cards each, playin a block style game.
With four we can play teams or cut-throat(every man for them self) both styles are block games. Each player takes 7 cards. Double six leads off for the first hand. After wards the winner leads off with any double if he has one.
There is an extension to the teams game. We call it 6-luv. Where one team must win six hands in a row to win the game. This could take all day or if the team is good, about a half an hour. There are slight details which I can't remember now.
(Tuff Guy)
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