Domino is a game that consists of a set of tiles, which are played in a specific way. Domino games can be played with a partner, friends, family or even with a computer. There are different variations of the game, but all involve the same basic rules. Typically, a player’s objective is to set up a tower, which must be stable enough for the next player to fall.

Unlike cards, which are shuffled and played without an opponent, dominoes are placed on a flat surface and positioned edge to edge. Each tile has a marking on one side, which indicates its arrangement of spots. Depending on the game, the number of the pips on the sides can be a factor in scoring.

Several versions of dominos allow players to join their tiles to all four sides. These tiles are often called doubles. Doubles have their own specific rules. Normally, they are placed crossways across the end of the chain. However, some games also consider all four sides open. The rule is that if a double is played, all adjacent faces must equal the total value.

In most domino games, the player draws less dominoes initially than the opponents. A player must then take out some of the dominoes and replace them with more suitable ones. This process takes a long time, and can be a difficult task. Fortunately, there are some ways to speed up the process.

First, the player must decide whether to place a tile with a specific number at one end of the chain. Or, the player may simply play a tile that is to the left of a six or a six to the right of a five. If the number on one end is higher than the number on the other, the player can only play the corresponding tile to the left. Similarly, the player can only play a tile if the pips on the other end are equal to the pips on the other side.

If a player cannot make a good choice, he or she can choose to chip out a sleeping domino. After a player chips out a sleeping domino, the rest of the tiles are left face down for the opponents to draw from.

Before playing, the players must agree on the target score. This number is usually the sum of the numbers on the pips on the other players’ tiles. When a player reaches the target score, he or she wins the game. Depending on the variation, the pips in a player’s hand are added to the pips on the other players’ hands.

To play, the first player must place a tile with a certain number on it on the table. Once this is done, the next player must choose another tile to play. For example, if the first player plays a 6-6, the second player must play a 4-6.

In addition, if a tile has two ends, it is said to have “stitched up” the ends. This is achieved by laying two or more tiles perpendicular to the first tile.