Games Giant Dominoes Rules
how to playHow to Play Giant Dominoes: Block, Draw & Scoring Rules
This guide uses Draw dominoes with a double-six set: match the open ends, draw when you cannot play, and score the pips left in the other players' hands when a hand ends. The target is 100 unless you agree another. Block and All Fives are separate variants; this scorecard tracks Draw hand points.
- 2 to 4 individual players PLAYERS
- AGES 6+
- 2 min SETUP
- A table, patio, or flat patch of lawn
What you need
- A set of giant dominoes (a standard double-six set has 28 tiles)
- A flat surface big enough to lay out a long chain: a table, deck, or smooth lawn
- Two to four individual players
- A scorecard to track hand points and running totals toward 100
- A little patience, since the blocks are heavy and slide around outdoors
Need the gear? See our giant dominoes picks before game day.
How to play giant dominoes
- Shuffle and draw the boneyardTurn all the tiles face down and mix them up. This pile is called the boneyard. Each player draws a starting hand: seven tiles for two players, five tiles for three or four players. Keep your tiles hidden from the others. The rest of the tiles stay in the boneyard.
- Choose the opening tileThe player with the highest double opens. If nobody has a double, the highest-value tile starts.
- Match the endsOn your turn, add one tile to either open end of the chain so the touching halves show the same number. A tile that has a four can attach to any open four, and so on. Doubles are laid crosswise (perpendicular), which is mostly for looks outdoors but does mark a spot players sometimes build off of in branching variants.
- Draw when you cannot playIf neither open end matches a tile in your hand, draw until you find a playable tile or the boneyard empties. Play the matching tile; if none is available and the boneyard is empty, pass.
- Play until someone goes out or it locksThe round ends the moment one player lays their last tile and calls out, or when nobody can play and the game is blocked. A blocked game happens when both open ends are numbers nobody can match and the boneyard is empty.
- Score the handIf someone goes out, that player scores all opponents' remaining pips. If blocked, the player with fewest pips scores the other hands' total. This sheet uses no score and a redeal for a tied lowest hand. Add hand points and play to 100 unless another target was agreed.
Scoring
- The first player to empty their hand wins it and scores the combined pips remaining in all opponents' hands.
- If nobody can play and the boneyard is empty, the player with the fewest remaining pips wins and scores the combined pips in the other players' hands.
- For a tied lowest hand, this garden house version awards no points and redeals. Agree any different tie rule before starting.
- Add hand points to the running total. First to 100 wins unless another target was agreed before play.
- All Fives/Muggins scores during play and is a separate version; do not add its bonuses to this Draw card.
Keeping score on paper? Print the free giant dominoes score sheet. No signup needed.
Distance & setup
Fun variations
- Block dominoes: no drawing from the boneyard. If you cannot match, you pass. The round ends when someone goes out or the game locks. This is the fastest version and the easiest to teach.
- Draw dominoes: the most common version. When you cannot play, you draw tiles until you can. Longer rounds, fewer dead stalemates.
- Fives (Muggins): the scoring favorite. You earn points whenever the open ends total a multiple of five, on top of going-out points. More math, more strategy.
- All Fives partners: play Fives in two teams of two sitting across from each other, combining hands and scores. Great for four players who want a team game.
Giant Dominoes rules FAQ
How many dominoes do you start with in giant dominoes?
With a standard double-six set you deal seven tiles each for a two-player game, and five tiles each for three or four players. The rest stay face down in the boneyard. Larger double-nine or double-twelve sets change the deal, so check how many tiles your specific set includes.
What is the difference between block and draw dominoes?
In Block, a player who cannot match passes without drawing. In Draw, the player draws until a playable tile appears or the boneyard empties; if still unable to play, they pass. This guide and scorecard use Draw.
How do you score giant dominoes?
In this Draw version, going out scores all opponents' remaining pips. In a blocked hand, the lowest pip count wins and scores the other players' pips. A tied lowest hand is scoreless and redealt under this sheet's house tie rule. Add hand points toward 100; All Fives bonuses are a separate game.
Do doubles have to be played sideways?
Traditionally yes. Doubles are laid crosswise to the chain, which marks them clearly and, in branching variants, can open a new direction to build off of. Outdoors with giant tiles this is mostly cosmetic, but it keeps the chain easy to read.
Can you play giant dominoes on grass?
You can, but a flat table, deck, or paver patio works better. The oversized wooden tiles are heavy and tend to lean or tip on uneven lawn, which makes the open ends hard to read. If you are playing on grass, pick the flattest spot you have and expect to nudge a few tiles upright.
How many tiles are in a giant dominoes set?
A standard double-six set has 28 tiles, which is what most giant lawn dominoes sets include. Some larger sets are double-nine (55 tiles) or double-twelve (91 tiles) for bigger groups. Always confirm the count on the set you are buying before assuming it is the full 28.
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. See the giant dominoes sets we picked and what comes in each box.