Domino, Domino, Domino

A simple game using rectangular tile pieces, split in half and each half has dot carvings adding up to a number from blank (0) to 6. Why is it that so many people around the world are so serious about this game? It is so simple, right? NOT!

We are not talking about the kids game where tiles are lined up in shapes and then set to tumble. I am talking about the game old people wearing straw hats and guayaberas play in silence as if it was chess in Domino Park, Miami. I am talking about about the game played in the Bronx’ sidewalks. I am talking about the game that generates such emotions that would drive anyone to slam that last domino so hard, like if breaking the table in half is the goal of the game. I am talking about the game that makes you feel like the Dos Equis’ Most Interesting Man in the World when you have that last domino, a slight smirk and just let that domino drop.  So, stay thirsty my friends and read on.

Heineken Domino Tournament
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“OK, it sounds exciting I want to play,” you may say. The rules are simple: first get a set of double six dominos, unless playing Cuban style in which case it is played with a set of double nines. The game is played in teams of two and each teammate sits across the table from each other, unless playing cut throat. The highest number tile starts the game (the double 6 or double 9), but only on the first game of the match after the winner of the previous match goes out, unless playing in Miami in which case any member of the winning team can start the game. There are only two directions of playing, unless you play American style/El Paso style or my favorite name Yahoo! style in which case you use a spinner and have four options available. Points are awarded by adding the points left in your opponents hand at the end of each game, or maybe your opponents and any point left on the winning team’s hand, or maybe you add points along the way in multiple of fives. The match is over at 150 points or 200 points or 500 points which adds bonus plays like “Chuchazo” or “Capicú,” or you can play until a team reaches a certain number of winning games. Oh, I forgot, the game is played on a counter clockwise order, unless played clockwise.

Confused yet? :-) Welcome to the world of dominos. The truth is that every country has a set of very fuzzy guidelines. For example, in Puerto Rico the game is played with a double six set, the direction of play is not exactly clear, there is a way to play with awards or without, some play with a doubles rule, some don’t. Imagine if multiple countries are represented. The rule of thumb is to schedule about 30 minutes before the game in order to set the rules. It will save a lot of headaches during the game. If a Cuban is involved, then you may have to schedule about an hour and a half, in order for him to brag about how double nine is the way real man do it. Hmmmm!!! Once the rules are figured out, the rest is a piece of cake. Or is it?

Playing domino gives my friends and I a chance to talk smack about each other, have some drinks, be competitive and have fun. I urge everyone to try it out, just remember: smack talking about someone’s person, mom, country or city is part of the game, don’t get offended, but get even.

“OK, sale la gorda…”