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How to Keep Score in Dominoes on Paper
Keeping score in dominoes is essential for tracking the progress of the game and determining the winner. Whether you’re playing a casual game with friends or a more serious tournament, knowing how to score accurately is crucial. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step explanation of the scoring system and how to keep track of it on paper, ensuring that your games are fair and enjoyable.
To begin, each player draws seven dominoes from the stockpile or boneyard. The player with the highest double (a domino with the same number of pips on both ends) starts the game. The player then places the double in the middle of the table, forming the starting point of the “snake” or “layout.” Subsequent players take turns matching one end of one of their dominoes to one end of the layout, extending the chain in either direction. When a player cannot match any of their dominoes, they must draw from the boneyard until they find a matching domino or until the boneyard is empty.
Scoring in dominoes is straightforward. The player who goes out first (gets rid of all their dominoes) scores the total number of pips on the dominoes remaining in the hands of all other players. This score is recorded on a piece of paper, and the game continues until one player reaches a predetermined score threshold, such as 100 or 250 points. If the game ends in a draw (both players go out at the same time), no points are awarded.
Creating a Header for Identification
The header serves as a crucial element for efficiently keeping track of scores during a game of dominoes. It should clearly identify the players involved and provide a labeled space for each player’s score. The header typically consists of two rows: the first row for listing the player names and the second row for marking their scores. Consider the following example:
Player Names | Scores
Player 1 | ______
Player 2 | ______
Ensure that the header is concise, legible, and easily accessible to all players for convenient scorekeeping throughout the game.
Marking the Double-Blank Space
The double-blank space is a crucial aspect of scoring in dominoes, and it requires special attention when marking on paper. Here’s how to handle this space effectively:
1. Designate a Specific Symbol
Choose a unique symbol to represent the double-blank space. This symbol should be distinct from any other marks or numbers used in the scoring system. Some common options include: “X,” “BB,” or a square/circle with “DB” inside.
2. Place the Symbol in the Center
Mark the double-blank space in the center of the scoring sheet. This position clearly identifies the space and makes it easy to reference during scoring calculations.
3. Connect to Adjacent Lines
Draw lines from the double-blank space to the horizontal and vertical lines that represent player scores. These lines indicate that the space can be used to complete runs in any direction. The following diagram illustrates the connections:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | X | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| —– | | | | | | |
By following these guidelines, you can accurately mark the double-blank space and ensure a clear and consistent scoring system for your dominoes game.
Keeping Track of Team Scores
In a team game, each team keeps track of its own score. The team with the lowest score at the end of the game wins. To keep track of team scores, you will need a piece of paper and a pencil.
5. Counting the Remaining Dots
| Player 1 | Player 2 | Team Score |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 2 | 6 | 12 |
| 0 | 6 | 12 |
On paper, draw a table with three columns: Player 1, Player 2, and Team Score. Each time a player plays a domino, add the number of dots on the open end of the domino to their score. If a player plays a double, add the number of dots on the double to both players’ scores.
For example, if Player 1 plays a 0-4 domino, Player 1’s score increases by 4. If Player 2 then plays a 4-6 domino, Player 2’s score increases by 6 and Player 1’s score increases by another 4 (because the 4 on Player 2’s domino matches the 4 on Player 1’s domino).
The team score is the sum of the player scores. In the example above, the team score is 12 (4+6+2).
Tallying Round Wins
- Keep track of the number of rounds won by each player.
- Example: Player 1 wins Round 1, Player 2 wins Round 2, and Player 1 wins Round 3. The score would be:
| Player | Round Wins |
|---|---|
| Player 1 | 2 |
| Player 2 | 1 |
Game Points
- The first player to reach 100 points wins the game.
- To score game points, a player must win a round and empty their hand of dominoes.
- The number of game points awarded is equal to the sum of the pips on the dominoes left in the opponents’ hands.
Calculating Game Points (Six-pip Domino)
Example: Player 1 wins Round 4 with a double-six domino (12 pips). Player 2 has 5 pips left in his hand, while Player 3 has 10 pips left.
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Calculate the total pips: 5 + 10 = 15 pips
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Multiply by the number of pips on the winning domino: 15 x 12 = 180 game points
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Award the points: Player 1 receives 180 game points.
| Player | Domino | Pips | Game Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player 1 | Double-Six | 12 | 180 |
| Player 2 | N/A | 5 | 0 |
| Player 3 | N/A | 10 | 0 |
Special Scoring Considerations
8. End-of-Game Scoring
The end-of-game scoring in Dominoes is called “muggins” and occurs when one player has played all their tiles before any other players. In this situation, the player who “mugged” scores the sum of the pips left on the tiles of the other players. If multiple players mug in the same round, the player with the lowest score among them gets the muggins bonus. Additionally, if a player mugs with a double-six tile, they receive an extra 10 points. The following table summarizes the end-of-game scoring:
| Situation | Score |
|---|---|
| Muggins with double-six tile | Sum of pips + 10 points |
| Muggins without double-six tile | Sum of pips |
| Tie for lowest score at muggins | Lowest score wins muggins bonus |
Using a Score Sheet Template
A score sheet is essential for keeping track of the progress of a game of dominoes. It helps players to record the points they have scored, the points they have won, and the points they have lost. There are many different score sheet templates available online, but they all essentially serve the same purpose. If you follow these steps, you can use a score sheet template to keep score in dominoes on paper:
1. Gather your materials
You will need a score sheet, a pen or pencil, and some dominoes.
2. Find a score sheet template
There are many different score sheet templates available online. You can find a template that suits your needs by searching for “dominoes score sheet template” or “dominoes score sheet printable”.
3. Print the score sheet
Once you have found a score sheet template, print it out on a piece of paper.
4. Fill in the player names
At the top of the score sheet, there will be a section for you to fill in the names of the players. Write your name and the names of the other players in the spaces provided.
5. Start playing the game
Once you have filled in the player names, you can start playing the game. Draw dominoes from the boneyard and play them on the table.
6. Keep track of the score
As you play the game, keep track of the score on the score sheet. Add up the number of points for each player and write the total in the appropriate space.
7. Determine the winner
The game ends when one player has played all of their dominoes. The player with the highest score wins the game.
9. Additional Tips for Keeping Score on Paper
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Use a pencil instead of a pen so that you can erase mistakes.
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Keep the score sheet in a safe place so that it doesn’t get lost.
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If you are playing with a large number of players, you may want to use a scoreboard to keep track of the score.
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If you are playing a tournament, you may want to use an official score sheet.
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There are many different ways to keep score in dominoes. Find a method that works best for you and your group of players.
Common Notation Conventions
To keep score in dominoes on paper, it is essential to follow established notation conventions. These conventions provide a clear and concise way to track the game’s progress and determine the winner.
Number 10
When a player plays a double and ends with a total of 10 points, the number 10 is written with an x in the middle, like “10x”. This indicates that the player has made a “double 10” and has thus cleared their hand. For example, if a player plays a double-six and a double-four, they would write “10x” on their score sheet.
Alternatively, the number 10 can be written as “0” or “blank” to represent zero points. This is a common practice when keeping score in domino games where a player’s hand is considered “closed” when they have zero points left.
In some variations of dominoes, such as “Mexican Train,” a player who plays a double and ends with 10 points may also be required to “draw from the boneyard.” This means that they must draw additional dominoes from the reserve pile until they can play one that reduces their total points to less than 10.
| Number 10 Representation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10x | Double 10; hand cleared |
| 0 | Zero points; hand closed |
| Blank | Zero points; hand closed |
How To Keep Score In Dominoes On Paper
Keeping score in dominoes on paper is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps.
1. Draw a table with two columns. The first column should be labeled “Player 1” and the second column should be labeled “Player 2”.
2. Write the names of the players in the appropriate columns.
3. As each player plays a domino, write the number of pips on the domino in the appropriate column.
4. When a player plays a domino that matches the number of pips on the domino on the other end of the line, the player scores the number of pips on the dominoes that are not matched.
5. The first player to reach a predetermined number of points wins the game.
People Also Ask
What is the best way to keep score in dominoes?
The best way to keep score in dominoes is to use a paper and pencil. This method is simple and easy to follow, and it can be used to keep track of the score for multiple players.
How do you calculate the score in dominoes?
To calculate the score in dominoes, you simply add up the number of pips on the dominoes that are not matched. For example, if a player plays a domino with 6 pips and the domino on the other end of the line has 4 pips, the player scores 2 points.
How do you keep score in dominoes with multiple players?
To keep score in dominoes with multiple players, you simply create a table with a column for each player. As each player plays a domino, you write the number of pips on the domino in the appropriate column. When a player plays a domino that matches the number of pips on the domino on the other end of the line, the player scores the number of pips on the dominoes that are not matched. The first player to reach a predetermined number of points wins the game.
