What Is Muggins?
The old parlor game of fives with teeth. Same scoring as All Fives, but a missed count is a gift to your opponent.
Muggins is a draw game of fives. After every tile, if the open ends add up to 5, 10, 15 or more, the player scores that total. The twist that gives the game its name: a player who fails to claim a score loses it, and the first opponent to call “Muggins!” takes the points instead.
The first double is the spinner and opens four arms, so the ends can climb to 20 or more. When you cannot play you draw from the boneyard, which keeps hands moving and counts changing.
Players
2-4 players, each for themselves. Head-up is the classic form and the sharpest.
Equipment
A standard double-six set (28 tiles). A cribbage board makes a fine scorer.
Time
10 minutes a hand. A game to 200 runs about 45 minutes; play to 100 for a quick one.
Skill Level
Intermediate. Arithmetic at speed, plus the nerve to keep your mouth shut when an opponent miscounts.
Setup & Deal
What You Need
- A standard double-six domino set (28 tiles)
- 2-4 players
- A cribbage board, or pencil and paper
Tiles Per Player
| Players | Tiles Each | Boneyard | Play To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Players | 7 tiles | 14 (draw from it) | 200 points |
| 3 Players | 5 tiles | 13 (draw from it) | 200 points |
| 4 Players | 5 tiles | 8 (draw from it) | 200 points |
Draw from the boneyard whenever you cannot play, one tile at a time until you can. The last two tiles stay in the boneyard; when only two are left and you cannot play, you pass.
Playing The Hand
First Hand
Each player draws a tile; the heaviest leads the first hand with any tile they choose. After that the winner of the previous hand leads.
Playing Tiles
- Play proceeds clockwise
- Match one end of your tile to an open end of the layout
- Doubles are played crosswise
- If you can play, you must play; if you cannot, draw until you can
- With only two tiles left in the boneyard, a stuck player passes
The Spinner
The first double played is the spinner. Once both of its sides have been played on, its two ends open as well, giving four open ends to count. Later doubles play normally and do not spin.
Claiming A Score
When your tile makes the ends total a multiple of five, say the score out loud and mark it before the next player moves. If you do not, any opponent may call Muggins and take those points for themselves.
Ending The Hand
- A player plays their last tile (domino), or
- Nobody can play and the boneyard is down to its last two: blocked
Scoring
Scoring During Play
After each tile, add the pips on all open ends. A total that is a multiple of 5 scores that many points, if you claim it:
| End Total | Points | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 pts | Ends show 3 and 2 |
| 10 | 10 pts | [5-5] led as the first tile |
| 15 | 15 pts | Ends show 6-6 and 3 |
| 20 | 20 pts | Spinner open: 6-6, 4, 2 and 2 |
| Unclaimed | To the caller | "Muggins!" before the next play |
Counting doubles: a double on an end counts both halves ([6-6] is 12) until a tile is played on it.
End-of-Hand Scoring
The player who dominoes scores the pips left in the other hands, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5. In a blocked hand the lightest hand wins and scores the others' pips minus their own, rounded the same way.
Count every end before you let go of the tile. A 15 you did not announce is a 15 for your opponent, and a sharp table never lets one slide.
Strategy Tips
Count Before You Play
Know the end total before your tile touches the table. The players who win at Muggins see the fives coming two plays ahead.
Own The Spinner
Four open ends mean bigger totals. If you hold the [5-5] or [6-6], make it the spinner and keep the arms friendly to your hand.
Draw With A Plan
Drawing is not a punishment; it is a chance to find a scorer. Note what you need before you reach into the boneyard.
Watch The Opponent's Count
The Muggins call is half the game. Stay quiet, check their arithmetic, and claim what they miss.
Shrink Your Hand Before The Block
End-of-hand pips are rounded to fives and handed to the winner. Keep your hand light once the boneyard thins out.
FAQ
A player who scores but fails to claim it forfeits the points, and the first opponent to call Muggins takes them. That rule is the whole name of the game.
The scoring is the same. Muggins adds the Muggins call, draws from the boneyard when you are stuck, and is usually played to 200.
Yes, one tile at a time until you can play, leaving the last two tiles in the boneyard. Then you pass.
No. Only the first double played spins. The rest are laid crosswise and play like any other tile.
Not yet. Today you can play Cutthroat head-up against the CPU on Dominologist; the other games are on the way.