Dominoes - Draw Game

Dominoes are pieces of ivory or bone, usually with ebony backs. On the face of each piece there are two compartments, in each of which there is found either a blank, or black pips or spots from one to six.

The dominoes are thus named: Double-Six; Six-Five; Six-Four; Six-Three; Six-Two; Six-One; Six-Blank; Double-Five; Five- Four; Five-Three; Five-Two; Five-One; Five-Blank; Double- Four ; Four-Three; Four-Two; Four-One; Four-Blank; Double- Three; Three-Two; Three-One; Three-Blank; Double-Two; Two- One; Two-Blank; Double-One; One-Blank; Double-Blank.

To Shuffle And Determine The First Pose.

Shuffling the dominoes (also called making) is done by turning them face downwards on the table, and mixing them about with the fingers in such manner as to prevent the position of any given domino being known. Each player has a right to perform this operation.

The right to the first pose, or turn to play (also known as the "down"), has next to be decided, and this is usually done by each player drawing and turning up one domino, and the holder of the lowest number of points having the preference. The dominoes thus used are returned to the pack, and again shuffled with the rest. Each player then takes randomly from the dominoes nearest to him the number appropriate to the game to be played, and these constitute his "hand". The remaining dominoes are called the stock.

DRAW GAME

The Draw game is played in the same way as the Block game, with the addition that pieces may be drawn from the stock after the first pose has been made.

When a player whose turn it is to pose cannot match, he must draw from the stock until he takes a piece that will match or until the stock is exhausted.

After the lead, the player who has to pose may draw as many pieces as he pleases, whether he can match or not. The right of drawing, after the first pose, is unlimited. A player unable to match says, "Go," and his opponent must play if he can match.

The scoring and alternate leading is as at the Block game.

With some players, ail the pieces are not allowed to be drawn, and the player is obliged to leave two dominoes in the stock.

The reason of this limitation is obvious. The player whose turn it is to draw might otherwise take the whole of the stock, and would thereby be enabled to calculate exactly what were the pieces of his opponent. With such knowledge, the increased choice of pieces, and the pose, he would play at a great advantage.

This point must be determined previous to beginning the game, otherwise the rule for unlimited drawing governs.