Dominoes are a GREAT game to help with algebra while working on strategy and critical thinking. While playing as a family, we keep our children engaged through reviewing math. They are in charge of counting the ends of the tiles and see if the player receives a point. Math can be daunting, but we try to encourage our children to think about in a different light. Math is everywhere can be utilized in the simplest ways. Now back to the game...
Our family may play differently than yours, but we start with each player grabbing five tiles and lay them down in a way that is not shown to others. Make sure to grab a note pad and pencil to keep track of the winner, if you have not done so.
At this time everyone should have five of their own pieces, and whoever has the highest double tile places it down on the table first as they turn. We call the double tile a spinner since you can play in different directions. This is a great piece to use and can only be spun off of ONCE in a game. Now it is the next person turn, they place their tile down in hopes that the end pieces create a multiple of five to earn points. Remember, each time a player creates a five by the end pieces they earn one point. For example, the player that creates a 10 will earn 2 points on the scorecard. To keep the game going longer (but not too long) we like to play until someone reaches 100 points when each tick mark equals five points each. Once you have reached a turn that you do not have a tile to put down, you will grab from the extra 28 pieces to complete your turn. As the game continues someone will run out of pieces, and when that time comes everyone flips over their pieces to calculate how many points the person that ran out of pieces first receives.
Today we played as a family, and you know who won.......my husband and my son! My eldest had such a good time that he immediately asked if we can play again tomorrow after lunch. I hope you and your family enjoy a game of dominoes soon!
