List of definitions of terms and jargon used in dominoes From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is a glossary of terms used in dominoes. Besides the terms listed here, there are numerous regional or local slang terms. Terms in this glossary should not be game-specific, i.e. specific to one particular version of dominoes, but apply to a wide range of domino games. For glossaries that relate primarily to one game or family of similar games, see the relevant article.
The end of a tile marked with one spot. A 'one'.[1]
arm
A single straight line of tiles within the tableau.[1] McLeod specifies that it only has one open end.[2]
back
The broad surface of a tile with no pips or bar. They may be entirely blank or have a design which is the same on every tile.[2] The reverse side of a tile.[1]
banker
Also called the house, the person responsible, in a banking game for distributing chips, keeping track of the stakes and paying winners at the end. A dealer against whom the punters bet.
banker's set
The 3–2 domino, so called because, if set in a scoring game, it cannot be scored on.[3]
bar
The line dividing the face of a tile into two halves. Also divider or centre line.[2]
bid
The number of points a player undertakes to achieve if they win the auction in bidding games. The winning bidder names trumps and leads.[4]
bidding game
Game in which there is an auction where players bid the number of tricks they hope to take. The winning bidder announces trumps and sets the first tile
To play all the tiles in a hand, usually ending play for the round.[2] Hence 'dominoed' or 'dominoer'.[4]
An individual piece in a domino set.[7] According to John McLeod, however, this popular usage is incorrect.[2]
domino set
A complete batch of tiles, each one occurring exactly once, that is used to play one or more domino games. Sets vary in size; for example, a double-six set has 28 tiles and a double-eight set has 45 tiles. Also deck or pack.
High-numbered. A 'heavy' tile or tile end is one with a high number of pips. The half of a tile with the greater number of pips is the heavy end. Some games start with the player who holds the heaviest tile setting it first.[12]
hit the deck
To be forced to draw from the boneyard (aka deck) because you have no playable tiles.[9]
A double played in a matching or scoring game when a player has no matching tiles in his hand.[4]
light
Low-numbered. A 'light' tile or tile end is one with a low number of pips. The half of a tile with the fewer pips is the lighter end. Some games start with the player holding the lightest tile leading.[12]
lighthouse
A double in the hand with no matching tiles in the same hand. Played first it is a "lighthouse set".[9]
Cycle of play during a game in which each player places a tile on the table, draws from the boneyard, passes or performs some other action when it is his turn. See also hand, game and match.[2]
round game
Game in which every player plays for himself or herself.[4]
row
A line of tiles placed face up and side to side on the table. See also train.[2]
A metal pin or nail head in the centre of a tileface that enables the tiles to be shuffled more readily.[2]
A double that is usually turned at right angles to the line of play and enables arms to be developed from both ends as well as the open side.[2] However, some games permit a double to be played inline or crosswise. It becomes a spinner once it has been played on opposite sides or ends.[9]
