General Information for Dominoes

The spots on the dominoes are called "pips" or "spots."

The surplus dominoes placed face down is called the "boneyard."

A player goes "domino" when he plays his last piece before any opponent.

In general, domino games begin by shuffling the pieces that have been turned face down so the spots do not show. Players then draw the required number of pieces and the balance left are set to one side for further use as covered in the rules. Pieces are played end to end, but all doubles are set upright across the line.

The object of practically all domino games is for the players to block the game so that others cannot make a play, or to make ends when added together equal some given number or multiple of that number, or to play so that the ends of the line will show "spots" of equal value.