It is important to recognize what style of Dominoes your opponent likes to play. Once you recognize what style they tend to play and their skill level, some players can be very predictable. There are 3 general styles of Domino players:

1) “The Scorer” at all cost – this player will score on every turn possible without any concern about their future moves. This style of player is generally an amateur but if they consistently get good hands they will make you pay. However, over the long haul if you play your hands right you will beat them more often than not.

Here are some Domino tips against “The Scorer” – The best way to beat “The Scorer” is to maintain domino and make them go to the boneyard late in the hand and cash in on the treasures they found in the boneyard. You can easily do this by recognizing what suit you want to force them to play on when they score points, they often will take the points and bring the dominoes you want them to play.

For example, say you want to run 6’s on “The Scorer” and you start the hand with 5/5 and “The Scorer” plays 5/4, do not play 4/6 if you have it, play a 5 on the other end in hopes they score with one of the 6’s that is not in your hand. If “The Scorer” has the 6 he is sure to take his points and make your hand look even better. “The Scorer” falls into this trap more often than not.

2) “The Locker” – this player will try to lock up every hand possible and send you to the boneyard to get every last domino. They will only score points when it helps them to send you to the boneyard. They prefer to score their points in bunches at the end of each hand.

Here are some Domino tips against “The Locker” – First thing you want to do is identify which dominoes you do not have many of and be wary. If you only have one 5 then do not put a 5 on the board with the 5 on the end. Wait until a 5 is played and then cut it off. You may be tempted to play a 5 on the end to score points but against “The Locker” this can send you on a long vacation to the boneyard.

Also, try to play on all four ends early to help you recognize what numbers “The Locker” is trying to run and to keep them guessing on what you are trying to do. Do not put new numbers on the board that can help them run their numbers. For example, if “The Locker” is running 5’s on you and 5/2 and 5/3 has already been played try to keep 2’s and 3’s on the ends so they cannot put more 5’s out there.

3) “The Chameleon” – Last but not least there is “The Chameleon” this is the player you already are or the player you want to be. This player can play both styles and can recognize which is the best hand to play either style and adapt. To beat “The Chameleon” consistently you have to be one and to do this you must know how to recognize a balanced hand for scoring, which is a hand of 2 or 3 of every suit or a dominant hand which is a hand with 4 or more of a suit that can force your opponent into the boneyard. Learn these Domino tips and you will WIN more often than not!