Domino (card game) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Domino
Card Dominoes, Sevens, Spoof, Fan Tan, Parliament
A typical Domino-type game under way (Unteransetzen)
Type	Shedding game
Players	3–8
Age range	6+
Cards	32 or 52
Deck	French or German
Play	Clockwise
Card rank (highest to lowest)	Natural

Domino is a fun card game where players try to get rid of all their cards first. It's also known by other names like Card Dominoes, Spoof, Sevens, Fan Tan (in the US), or Parliament (in the UK).

In Domino, you play cards by matching them to the ones already on the table. You can play cards that are one higher or one lower in the same suit. If you can't play, you might have to draw more cards. The game is a bit like the game of dominoes but played with cards. It's great for kids who know their card values!

Cards for Domino

Domino can be played with different types of card decks. Some versions use a 32-card deck, while others use a standard 52-card deck. You can use either French playing cards (like the ones you usually see) or German playing cards.

How to Play Domino

All the cards are given out to the players. It's okay if some players end up with one more card than others.

Starting the Game

The first player starts by playing a special card, like a Jack or an Unter, to the middle of the table. This card begins a new sequence.

Playing Your Cards

The next player must then play a card of the same suit. This card needs to be either one number higher or one number lower than the card just played. For example, if a Jack was played, the next player could play a Ten or a Queen of the same suit.
Players keep adding cards to the sequences on the table.
You can also start a brand new sequence by playing another Jack or Unter.
If you don't have a card you can play, you have to "pass" your turn.

Winning the Game

The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round! Sometimes, players keep playing to see who finishes second, third, and so on.

Scoring Points

If you want to keep score, you can count the cards left in players' hands. The player with the fewest cards left is usually the winner. Some people give points for the cards left, like 10 points for Jacks, Queens, and Kings, and 15 for Aces. This makes players think more about getting rid of their high-value cards. Domino is a fun game for parties with people of all ages.

Different Ways to Play Domino

There are many cool variations of Domino, each with its own special rules!

Sevens

In the Sevens version, the game always starts with the player who has the Seven of Hearts. Other players then add cards to this sequence or start new ones with the other three Sevens. It can be smart to save cards near the Seven so you can force other players to play cards you might need later.

Fan Tan (Play or Pay)

This version is sometimes called Play or Pay. The player to the dealer's left can start by playing any Seven or passing. This game often involves a "pool" of money or tokens. Players pay a penalty if they pass, especially if they could have played a card, or if they pass while holding a Seven.

Showdown

In Showdown, the Eight of a suit must be played first. Then, the 9 and 7 of that suit are played. After that, other cards can be added, going up from the 9 and down from the 7. If a player can't play, they take a special marker. When someone runs out of cards, points are counted for the cards left in everyone's hands. Face cards are 10 points, Aces are 15, and the player with the marker gets 25 penalty points.

Compendium Games

Some bigger card games, like Rosbiratschka, include a part that plays just like Domino. In these games, you try to be the first to get rid of all your cards by playing them onto a starting card.

Domino Around the World

Domino is played in many countries, and each place might have its own unique twist!

Argentina

In Argentina, this game is known as Yuto.

Austria

In Austria, a similar game called Unteransetzen is played. It uses 32 German-suited cards. The game starts with an Unter, usually the Unter of Hearts. Players build on it or play another Unter. Another version, Zehnerlegen, uses Tens as the starting cards.

Finland

The Finnish version is called Ristiseiska, which means "the seven of clubs." The game must start with the seven of clubs. If a player can't play a card, the person before them must give them one, usually a card they don't need. The 6 and 8 of a suit must be played before other cards can be added to that suit.

France

The French also have a game called Domino. It's very similar to Sevens, but the player to the dealer's left can start with any card. Other players then build on that suit or start a new suit with a card of the same rank as the first card played.

Germany

Karten-Domino

In Germany, the game similar to Sevens is called Karten-Domino ("Card Domino"). It can be played with 32 or 52 cards. Any Eight or Jack (Unters) can be used to start a sequence. A version called Zehnerlegen uses Tens as starting cards.

Bubenlegen or Buurn-leggen

Buurn-leggen ("Jack Laying") is a simple Domino game. A Jack is played to start, and players build sequences both higher and lower from it. If a player can't add to a sequence but has another Jack, they can start a new one. The first player to play all their cards wins.

Elfer Raus!

Elfer Raus! ("elevens out!") is a popular German game played with special cards that have numbers from 1 to 20 in different colors. In this game, players can play many cards at once. If they can't play, they draw up to three cards.

Siebener raus

This German version, Siebener raus ("sevens out"), starts with the seven of clubs. For any seven played, the 6 and 8 of that suit must be played before other cards can be added. At the end, players pay points for cards left, and the last player to pass gets an extra penalty.

India

In India, the game is called Satti Centre (which means "seven as center"). It starts with the seven of hearts. Players can play an adjacent card, a seven of any suit, or pass. You can only pass if you truly have no playable cards. If you pass when you could have played, there's a penalty!

Japan

In the Japanese version, Shichi Narabe (meaning "7 lining up"), players remove all sevens from their hands to start the layout before the game even begins. Players can choose to pass up to three times per game.

Spain

The Spanish version is called Cinquillo. It's played with a Spanish deck of 40 cards. In this game, sequences start with the four fives, and the five of "oros" (a suit in the Spanish deck) must be played first.

Sweden

In Sweden, the game is called Sjuan ("Seven"). The first card played must be the seven of hearts. If a player can't play, the previous player gives them a card, usually one they don't need. The game ends when someone plays all their cards.

Russia

The Russian version is called Deviatka (meaning "nine"). It's played with either 52 or 36 cards, and it always starts with the nine of diamonds.

Domino (card game) facts for kids

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