Partners Rules

Partners Dominoes (also called Partnership Dominoes) is a 4-player team game where all 28 tiles are dealt out. There's no boneyard—you play what you're dealt.

The goal is to score points by making the open ends of the layout add up to multiples of 5. The first double played becomes the spinner, which can be played on all four sides. First team to 250 points wins.

What You Need

• A standard double-six domino set (28 tiles)
• 4 players in two partnerships (partners sit across from each other)
• Pencil and paper to track points

The Deal

1. Shuffle all 28 dominoes face-down on the table
2. Each player draws 7 dominoes
3. All tiles are dealt—there is no boneyard
4. After each hand, the deal passes to the right

First Hand

In the first deal of a new match, the player holding the double-six [6-6] starts and must lead with it.

Subsequent Hands

After the first hand, the turn to start passes to the right. The starting player may lead with any tile they choose.

Playing Tiles

1. Play proceeds counter-clockwise (or clockwise, depending on region)
2. Each player adds a tile to the layout, matching numbers end-to-end
3. Doubles are played at right angles to the line
4. If you can play, you must play
5. If you cannot play, you pass (knock the table)

The Spinner

The first double played becomes the spinner—it can be played on all four sides, creating up to four arms extending from it.

• The first two tiles must be played on the sides of the spinner
• Then the ends can be opened, creating a cross pattern
• Only the first double is a spinner—other doubles are played normally (two directions only)

Ending The Hand

The hand ends when:

• One player plays their last tile ("dominoes"), or
• All four players pass in succession (blocked game)

Scoring During Play

After each tile is played, add up the pips on all open ends of the layout. If the total is a multiple of 5, you score that many points immediately:

• 5 points — ends total 5
• 10 points — ends total 10
• 15 points — ends total 15
• 20 points — ends total 20
• And so on up to 35 points (the maximum possible)

Counting doubles: A double at the end of an arm counts both its pips (so [5-5] = 10, [6-6] = 12) until another tile is played on it.

Winning a Hand

• If a player dominoes (plays their last tile), their team wins the hand
• In a blocked game, the team with fewer total pips wins
• If pip totals are tied, the hand is a draw (no bonus score)

End-of-Hand Scoring

When the hand ends, the winning team scores the pip total of the losing team's remaining tiles, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5.

Winning the Match

First team to reach 250 points wins the game. Once a team hits 250 or more, they are the champions for that session.

Lead Strong

Open with a tile worth 10 points if you can ([5-5] or [6-4]). This scores early and sets up the spinner if it's a double.

Control the Spinner

The first double becomes a spinner with 4 playable sides. If you play it, you control when and how those arms open—use this to create scoring opportunities for your team.

Play to Your Partner

When your partner leads a suit, they're telling you it's their strength. Keep that suit open on the ends when possible.

Think in Fives

Always calculate: what plays give me a multiple of 5? Look beyond the obvious—sometimes reducing a previous total sets up your next score.

Count the Tiles

Pay attention to what's been played. If you know a suit is nearly exhausted, you can use that knowledge to block opponents or set up your partner.

Doscientos (200)

Popular in Puerto Rico. Play to 200 points. The winning team scores all unplayed tiles (including their own partner's).

Federation Rules

Used in international tournaments. Target score is 200. First player is chosen by drawing tiles, and can lead with any tile.

Mexican Style

Winner of each hand starts the next (rather than rotating). Tied blocked games are won by the team that started.