The following terms are used in the description of the rules and strategy for playing dominoes, and have special meaning in the context of dominoes. The definitions are given here to help those who are new to the game. The terms should be clickable when occurring in the rules and strategy, with the link bringing you to the proper place on this page to read the definition. Use the "Back" button on your browser to return to the spot in the rules that brought you to this glossary.

blank (n)

The name of a suit corresponding to an end of a domino tile which contains no pips.

bone (n)

Alternate name for a domino or tile due to the fact that the original pieces were often made from animal bone.

boneyard (n)

The collection of domino tiles that were not dealt to any player at the beginning of the game. When a player has no tile in his hand which may be played legally, the player must draw tiles from the boneyard one at a time until a playable tile is drawn or the boneyard is exhausted of tiles.

cover (v)

To play a domino tile that converts the exposed end of the skeleton to hide a suit which your opponents have played. This is a defensive move to aid your partner who may not be able to play a tile of the suit preferred by the opponents.

door (n)

The last domino tile of a given suit. Once all tiles of a suit have been played, the game can become jammed. If you hold the last unplayed tile of a suit it is a very powerful weapon because you can "close the door" at any time. In other words, no other player can block the open tile which matches your suit, and you have the option of playing the door on the other end of the skeleton forcing a jam.

double (n)

A domino tile that has the same number of pips on both ends.

hang (v)

To play the sixth domino of a suit when the double has not yet been played, because the person holding the double will never be able to play it. This is a devestating play which is quite fun to make, and is the reason beginners are urged to get rid of their doubles as soon as possible.

jam (v)

To play a domino tile that causes the game to become blocked such that none of the players may make a legal play. You should be quite certain that your team has fewer pips than the opponents before making this play.

jammed game (n)

A game that is blocked such that none of the players may make a legal play, yet all players are still holding at least one tile.

pip (n)

A single dot on the face of a domino. Each end of a domino has from zero to 6 pips on it.

skeleton (n)

The collection of tiles that have been played during the course of a game. The skeleton is normally arranged with tiles touching end to end, stretching lengthwise except when a double is played straddling or crosswise to the line as depicted in the photo at the top of this page. Some games allow new tiles to played only on two ends of the skeleton, other games allow an additional two ends to the skeleton played from the first double that is placed on the skeleton (see spinner).

spinner (n)

The first double that is played during a game that allows four ends to the skeleton. The extra two ends are played off the exposed ends of the crosswise double. Double three is the spinner in the photo at the top of this page.

repeat (v)

To play a domino tile that converts the exposed end of the skeleton to a suit which you have previously exposed. This move confirms to your partner what your preferred suit is.

square (v)

To play a domino tile such that the two ends of the skeleton have the same suit or pip count exposed. It is an attacking move because it increases the likelihood that the next player (your opponent) will not be able to play any tile.

suit (n)

The collection of tiles that have the same number of pips on one end. Every tile is a member of two suits, unless it is a double. Each suit has seven tiles each pairing the suit number with a number of pips from zero to six. The blank suit consists of blank-blank, blank-one, blank-two, blank-three, blank-four, blank-five, and blank-six.

tile (n)

Alternate name for a domino or bone.

La Vaca (n)

Spanish for "The Cow", La Vaca is the name given the double six because it is the heaviest tile a player may hold and if he is caught with it at the end of the game will score the most points for his opponent. It is a dreaded piece that many try to play as soon as possible.