Competitive Dominoes
is the game of International Tournmanent play enjoyed throughout the Carribean, Central America,
and South America, as well as Spain. It is most prominent in Puerto Rico and Cuba, while in
Guyana it is the national indoor sport. The definitive English-language guide to this form
of the game is written by
Miguel Lugo
of Puerto Rico, a highly recommended book
if you wish to learn advanced strategy. The most challenging form of the game is
with four players forming two opposing teams, although in Mexico and other countries it is quite
common to play as four individuals.
The game is played by 2 to 4 players, either individually or in teams. The pieces are dealt
out to each player and play consists of placing a single tile on a growing
skeleton in the
center of the board. Only two ends of the skeleton are playable. Points are scored when a
player uses all his tiles, causing the counts of the other players' remaining tiles to be
added to the winning player's or the winning team's total. The winner is the first player
or team to reach 200 points.
