Dominoes on Arcadia
Dominoes is a classic tile-based game played with rectangular pieces called "bones" or dominoes. Each tile has two ends with a number of pips. Match your tiles to open ends on the board to clear your hand!
On Arcadia, Dominoes is available in single-player against the computer.
We play double-six dominoes — the most popular variant with 28 tiles numbered from 0-0 to 6-6.
How to Play
- You and the computer each receive 7 tiles from the boneyard (draw pile).
- The player with the highest double goes first.
- Click a tile to play it on an open end.
- If you cannot play, draw from the boneyard (if available) or pass.
- Doubles (tiles with matching numbers) become "spinners" allowing 4-way play.
- First to clear their hand wins the round.
- Blocked? When both sides cannot play and the boneyard is empty, the side with the fewest pips wins.
Core Rules
- Match the pip value of the tile to the open end.
- Doubles (like 5-5) can be played horizontally or vertically.
- After a double, play can continue in 4 directions (left, right, top, bottom).
- If you cannot play, draw from the boneyard until you can (if tiles remain).
- If the boneyard is empty and you still cannot play, pass.
- Win by clearing all tiles OR by blocking (both sides stuck).
Strategy Tips
- Save your doubles — they give you flexibility and open up the board.
- Play high tiles early to reduce risk if the round ends in a block.
- Count what’s been played to estimate what the computer might still hold.
- Control the board by steering play toward numbers you have more of.
- Sometimes drawing is better than forcing a weak play — don’t rush.
Tips for Success
- Early game: Reduce high pip totals to protect yourself in a block.
- Mid-game: Use doubles to create branching options and avoid dead-ends.
- Late-game: Track your pip count — it can win a blocked round.
- The computer opponent reacts to the board and available numbers.
- Use the Move History panel to spot patterns and plan ahead.
FAQ
Is Dominoes playable on Arcadia now?
Not yet — it is currently marked as coming soon.
How many tiles are in double-six dominoes?
A double-six set has 28 tiles — one for each combination of two numbers from 0 to 6.
How do you win a Dominoes round?
Usually by emptying your hand, or by having fewer pips when the board blocks (variant-dependent).
What is a spinner?
A spinner is a double tile (like 4-4) that becomes the center of the board. After a spinner is placed, you can play on all four sides: left, right, top, and bottom.
What is blocking in Dominoes?
Creating a position where opponents have no legal moves, ending the round in your favor.
Can I rotate double tiles?
Yes! When you play a double, you can choose to place it horizontally or vertically. This affects which directions you can extend from that tile.
Will Arcadia support multiple Dominoes variants?
Planned — the SEO/sections system supports multiple variants and rules content.
What happens when the boneyard is empty?
If both sides cannot play and the boneyard is empty, the round ends in a block. The side with the fewest remaining pips wins.
How long does a game take?
Most games are designed to finish in 10–25 minutes.
How does scoring work?
If you clear your hand, you win the sum of all opponent pips. If blocked, the side with fewer pips wins the opponent's pip count.
Can I play multiple tiles at once?
No — you can only play one tile per turn. If you have multiple playable tiles, choose strategically.
Is there a time limit?
No time limit — take your time to plan your moves strategically.
Can I undo a move?
No — once a tile is played, it cannot be undone. Think before you play.
Is Dominoes single-player on Arcadia?
Yes — Dominoes is available in single-player against the computer (no PvP rooms).
Ready to play Dominoes?
Launch the free demo, learn the flow, and practice tactics before higher stakes.
