This table plays public-domain Double-Six Draw Dominoes: twenty-eight tiles from 0-0 through 6-6, seven tiles each, and the rest in the boneyard. Black leads. On an empty chain, the first player may play any tile. After that, every tile must match the open pip on the left or right end. If you cannot play, you draw until you can; drawing does not pass the turn. When only two tiles remain in the boneyard and you still cannot play, you pass. This is not Chinese checkers and not All Fives scoring. The sections below follow the order a real game actually happens. Read them once, then try a local game and keep track of both open ends.
Twenty-eight tiles, Black opens
A full Double-Six set has twenty-eight tiles. Each player starts with seven; the rest stay face down in the boneyard. Black plays first. While the chain is still empty, the lead may set any tile. White follows, and the two players then alternate one tile at a time.
On this board, tap the tile you want to play, then tap the left or right end. If both ends are legal, the table lets you choose. If a tile will not stick, it usually does not match either open end, or it is not your turn.
Every later tile must match an open end
Once the chain has started, a tile you play must show the same pip count as the left or right open end. Doubles may attach to either end; on a crowded line a double may lie crosswise, but the matching rule stays the same.
On your turn, read both open ends first, then look through your hand. When one tile fits both ends, choosing which end to close is often more important than choosing the tile itself.
Draw until you can play; two tiles stay in reserve
If nothing in your hand matches either open end, you draw from the boneyard until you pick up a playable tile or only two tiles remain and you still cannot play. Drawing keeps the turn with you; it does not hand play to the other seat.
Against the computer you hold Black by default; on a shared device or in a room, the two players simply alternate. Draw rules are the same in all three modes.
When the game ends
You win by emptying your hand. If both players pass in succession, the game is blocked: add the pips left in each hand, and the lower total wins. Equal totals are a draw.
For a first sitting, forget about winning. Just track both open ends, draw when you must, and notice how many pips you would hold if the chain blocked. That is already a complete game of Draw Dominoes.
Questions people ask before the first game
Is this the same game as Chinese checkers?
No. Chinese checkers uses a star board and pieces hop along lines of empty holes. This table is Double-Six Draw Dominoes. You are trying to empty your hand or hold fewer pips when the chain blocks.
Can I pass instead of drawing?
Only when two tiles remain in the boneyard and you still have no legal play. While more tiles can be drawn, you must keep drawing; you cannot skip on purpose.
Do doubles score extra points?
No. This is Draw Dominoes, not All Fives. Open ends are not totaled for scoring here. A double is just another tile on the chain.
Who opens, and what can the first tile be?
Black opens. On an empty chain the first tile may be anything. After that, every tile must match the left or right open end.