How to Play & Get Started
If you’ve never played dominoes before, the game can look more complicated than it really is.
In reality, dominoes is easy to learn once you understand a few basics — and you don’t need to memorize every rule to enjoy your first game.
This guide is designed for complete beginners, explaining how dominoes works and helping you choose the best game to start with.
What Is Dominoes?
Dominoes is a tile-based game where players take turns matching numbers.
Each tile has:
- Two ends
- A number of dots (called pips) on each end
The goal depends on the game, but usually involves:
- Getting rid of all your tiles, or
- Ending the round with the fewest pips
What Do You Need to Play?
To get started, you only need:
- A domino set
- A flat surface
- At least one other player
Some games also use accessories, but beginners can start with the basics.
👉 See Domino Sets Explained to choose the right set.
How Dominoes Works (Simple Version)
- Tiles are shuffled face down
- Each player draws a hand
- Players take turns placing tiles
- Tiles must match numbers on open ends
- If you can’t play, you draw or pass
That’s it — everything else builds on this foundation.
Best Domino Game for Beginners
While there are many domino games, Mexican Train Dominoes is the easiest place to start for most people.
Why Mexican Train Is Beginner-Friendly
- Clear structure
- Shared train for easy plays
- Forgiving mistakes
- Works well with groups
👉 Start here: Mexican Train Dominoes Rules
How Many Players Is Best?
For beginners:
- 3–5 players is ideal
- Enough interaction without chaos
Larger groups are more social, but can be harder to follow at first.
Understanding Domino Sets (Quickly)
Most beginners start with the wrong set.
Here’s the simple rule:
- Small games → Double-6
- Group games → Double-12
Mexican Train requires a Double-12 domino set.
👉 See Best Mexican Train Domino Sets for beginner-friendly options.
Basic Scoring (Beginner Level)
Most beginner games score points like this:
- When a round ends, count the pips left in your hand
- Lower total = better score
Some games score during play, but you don’t need that yet.
👉 See Dominoes Scoring Explained when you’re ready.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using the wrong domino set
- Forgetting which trains are open
- Ignoring doubles
- Overthinking early moves
Dominoes is more forgiving than it looks — mistakes are part of learning.
Should Beginners Use Accessories?
Optional, but helpful:
- Domino racks (easier to see tiles)
- Train markers (clearer gameplay)
👉 See Mexican Train Accessories for details.
Final Advice for New Players
If you’re new to dominoes:
- Focus on matching numbers
- Don’t stress about strategy
- Learn one game well before switching
Mexican Train gives you the best learning curve and the most flexibility.