Dominoes 5s & 3s

Description

The earliest mention of Dominoes is from Song Dynasty China, found in the text Former Events in Wulin. Dominoes first appeared in Italy during the 18th century, and although it is unknown how Chinese Dominoes developed into the modern game, it is speculated that Italian missionaries in China may have brought the game to Europe. The most basic domino variant is for two players and requires a double six set of 28 tiles.

Tournament Format
Players per table – 2
Rounds – 5 Round Swiss Pairings
Standard MSO tie-breaks apply

The starting player of the first set will usually be determined from the Swiss Pairing. For the 2nd and subsequent sets, the starting player alternates from the previous set.

The 28 tiles are shuffled face down and form the stock or boneyard. Each player draws seven tiles; the remainder are not used. Drawn tiles are typically placed on-edge before the players, so that each player can see his own tiles, but none can see the value of other players’ tiles. Every player can thus see how many tiles remain in the other players’ hands at all times during gameplay. The starting player begins by downing (playing) one of their tiles. This tile starts the line of play, a series of tiles in which adjacent tiles touch with matching, i.e. equal, values. The players alternately extend the line of play with one tile at one of its two ends. Doubles are played at right angles to the line of play. After a double is played, additional tiles must continue the original line (i.e. forking is not allowed).

After a piece is played the player sums the numbers at the ends of the line. If the total is a multiple of 3 or 5 then the players scores points equal to the multiple. (e.g. 9=3×3=3points, 10=2×5=2 points, 15=3×5 and 5×3=8 points). You must play if you can. A hand is over when 1 player places their last tile or both players pass consecutively. All tiles are then shuffled and the next hand begins, with the starting player alternating.

A set ends when one player reaches 61 points. This total must be reached exactly. A tile which would take the players score to more than 61 scores zero. Each match is played best of 3 sets, each set first to 61. The starting player alternates between sets.