How to Play & Score Points
All Fives Dominoes is one of the most popular scoring-based domino games. Unlike games where points are counted only at the end of a round, All Fives lets players score during play, which adds a strong strategic element.
This guide explains All Fives Dominoes rules step by step, including setup, gameplay, and — most importantly — how scoring works.
If you’re new to dominoes in general, you may want to start with Dominoes Rules (General) before diving into All Fives.
What Is All Fives Dominoes?
All Fives is a domino game where players score points whenever the open ends of the layout add up to a multiple of five.
The objective is:
- To score points during play, and
- To be the first player to reach a target score (often 100 or 150)
All Fives is more tactical than games like Mexican Train or Chicken Foot, but still easy to learn once scoring clicks.
What You Need to Play
To play All Fives Dominoes, you’ll need:
- A Double-6 domino set
- A flat playing surface
- A way to track score
Double-6 sets are standard, though larger sets can be used for longer games.
👉 See Domino Sets Explained for set size differences.
How Many Players Can Play?
All Fives is typically played with:
- 2 players (most common)
- 3–4 players (pairs or individual play)
Smaller groups work best because scoring requires close attention to the layout.
Setup Instructions
- Shuffle the dominoes face down
- Each player draws 7 dominoes
- Remaining tiles form the boneyard
- The player with the highest double starts
The starting tile is placed in the center of the table.
Basic Gameplay Rules
Players take turns clockwise.
On your turn, you must:
- Play a domino that matches an open end, or
- Draw one domino from the boneyard
If the drawn tile is playable, you may play it immediately.
How Scoring Works in All Fives
This is the most important part of the game.
After playing a domino, add up the open ends of the layout.
If the total is a multiple of five, you score that many points.
Examples:
- Open ends total 5 → score 5 points
- Open ends total 10 → score 10 points
- Open ends total 15 → score 15 points
If the total is not a multiple of five, no points are scored.
👉 For more scoring context, see Dominoes Scoring Explained.
Playing Doubles in All Fives
Doubles are played like any other tile, but they can:
- Create additional open ends
- Change scoring totals significantly
Depending on house rules:
- A double may count as both ends
- Or require special handling
Agree on double rules before starting.
Drawing Rules
If you cannot play:
- Draw one domino
- If it’s playable, play it
- If not, your turn ends
The boneyard remains in play until empty.
Ending a Round
A round ends when:
- One player plays their last domino, or
- The game becomes blocked
When blocked:
- Players count the pips in their hands
- Remaining pips may be awarded to the opponent(s) as bonus points
House rules vary here, so consistency matters.
Winning the Game
The game ends when:
- A player reaches the agreed target score (commonly 100 or 150), or
- A set number of rounds have been played
Because scoring happens during play, games can swing quickly.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Forgetting to check scoring after every move
- Miscounting open ends
- Mixing All Fives scoring with end-of-round scoring
- Using too large a set for small groups
Most errors disappear after a few rounds of practice.
All Fives vs Mexican Train
All Fives
- Scores during play
- More tactical and math-focused
- Best for smaller groups
Mexican Train
- Scores at end of rounds
- More relaxed and social
- Best for larger groups
Both are great — they just reward different play styles.
👉 See Mexican Train Dominoes Rules if you prefer group play.
Final Thoughts
All Fives Dominoes adds a strategic edge to classic domino play by rewarding smart placement and quick counting.
If you enjoy scoring points during the game — not just at the end — this is one of the most satisfying domino variants to learn.