Bendomino Game Rules

The Bendomino game rules outline the guidelines for playing this exciting and strategic game of dominoes with a twist. In Bendomino, players are tasked with matching and combining tiles to create a continuous chain of numbers, while strategically thinking ahead to maximize points and block opponents.

To begin the game, shuffle the Bendomino tiles face-down and each player draws a certain number of tiles, which varies depending on the number of players. The remaining tiles form the draw pile.

On each turn, players must connect one of their tiles to the existing chain of tiles by matching the numbers on the ends. The game starts with a double tile, which is a tile with the same number on both ends. From there, players can choose any tile they have that matches one end of the chain.

If a player cannot make a legal play, they must draw a tile from the draw pile. If the drawn tile can be played, it must be placed immediately. Otherwise, the turn passes to the next player.

As the game progresses, players strategically place tiles to maximize their score and block opponents. When a tile is played, the connecting ends must match exactly, but the numbers themselves don’t have to be in order. For example, a tile with a 3 on one end and a 5 on the other can be connected to a tile with a 5 on one end and a 2 on the other.

Scoring in Bendomino is based on the total sum of both ends of the tiles played. If a player plays a tile with a 2 on one end and a 5 on the other, they score 7 points for that turn. Strategically placing higher value tiles and utilizing the double tile can result in higher scores.

The game continues until one player runs out of tiles or can no longer make a legal play. At the end of the game, each player calculates their total score based on the tiles they played. The player with the highest score wins.

Playing Bendomino requires strategic thinking, planning, and adaptability. By creatively combining tiles and blocking opponents, players can control the flow of the game and increase their chances of winning. So grab a set of Bendomino tiles and start playing this unique twist on dominoes!

Hey there! Have you ever tried playing Bendominoes? These unique dominoes have a cool curved design that adds a whole new level of fun to the game. With Bendominoes, you’ll be able to take control and face exciting challenges that blend strategy, luck, and good times. It’s a game that’s perfect for passionate players like you!

What do you get?

28 Bendominoes
Storage Bag
Instructions

What’s the goal?

Your aim in each game is to be the first to reach 100 points. Exciting, isn’t it?

How do you set it up?

Setting up Bendominoes is easy. Each round starts by placing all 28 Bendominoes face down and giving them a good mix. Then, depending on the number of players:

For 2 players: You each get 7 Bendominoes.
For 3 players: You each get 6 Bendominoes.
For 4 players: You each get 5 Bendominoes.

Make sure to stand the Bendominoes on their edges facing you, so that the dots are hidden from other players. Mystery makes it more exciting!

The remaining pieces are what’s left of the stockpile.

How to Play

The person who has the biggest Bendomino double goes first. They take the double and put it in the middle of the table.

If no double was drawn, the highest number on a Bendomino should be played. For example, if I have a Bendomino with a 6 on one side and a 5 on the other side, I would play that.

We take turns going in a circle, going to the next person clockwise. Each player tries to find a Bendomino that has a matching number to one of the ends of the Bendomino chain.

When you put your piece down, make sure it matches the number and fits correctly!

Open game position: When playing the new Bendomino, all I have to do is find a piece with a matching number. It’s really simple because the piece can be played either to the right or to the left.

Closed game position: In this situation, I need to find a Bendomino piece that not only has a matching number but also needs to turn in the correct direction. For example, in this case, only a Bendomino turning to the right can be played.

How the Pieces Connect

To play the Bendomino game properly, each piece needs to be connected evenly with the other pieces. This is important to make sure the game goes smoothly and accurately.

Draw

If I don’t have a Bendomino that I can play, I have to draw one piece from the stock. But if the piece I draw can be played, I can play it right away.

Note on Play:

I can choose to draw a Bendomino and skip my turn, even if I have pieces that I can play.

Blocked Positions:

Either end of the Bendomino game can be blocked when:

There are no matching numbers available.
No pieces can fit together.
One end of the game is stuck in a dead end.
Both ends are connected (which is rare).

Note on Blocked Positions:

If both ends of the Bendomino chain are blocked, each player has to keep drawing Bendominos from the stock until there are no more left.

End of the Round

A round ends when:

I have no Bendominos left to play.

The stock is empty, and you can’t play any pieces. You win a round by either playing all your pieces or having the lowest point total when no one can play any pieces. The point total is the sum of the dots on your remaining Bendominoes. The winner of a round gets the dot points from the other players’ remaining Bendominoes. The game ends when a player reaches 100 points.

Game Variant: All Five

Aim of the Game

In the game of All Five, my goal is to create a chain of Bendomino pieces where all four ends add up to multiples of five.

Getting Started

To begin, you and your friends each need to draw a specific number of Bendomino pieces, following the basic rules of the game. Then, we’ll randomly pick two pieces from the stockpile and place them on the table back-to-back, just like in the picture below.

Let’s Play the Game

Hey there! Ready to have some fun? Let’s dive into the exciting world of this game!

So, here’s the deal. The player who has the highest double gets to start the game. Simple enough, right?

Now, we take turns, going clockwise. Each player has to add a piece to one of the four ends, and it has to match the numbers on the pieces already there. Still with me? Great!

But wait, there’s more! If the sum of the numbers on all four ends is a multiple of 5, the player who made that move gets to score some serious points. Cha-ching!

Now, let me show you this example. Just imagine we have the numbers 3, 5, 2, and 0 on the ends. If I make a move that makes the sum of these four numbers 10, guess what? I score 10 points! Easy peasy, right?

Alright, now it’s your turn. Get ready, set, go! Let’s see if you can outsmart me and score some big points!

Winning It All

The person with the highest score is the one who emerges triumphant in the round.

Scoring: The victorious player increases their score by the sum of all the dots found on the Bendominoes remaining in the possession of the other players. Everyone else keeps the points they earned during the previous rounds.

The Game’s Conclusion

The game comes to an end when the first person to reach 200 points prevails.

More Ways to Play

Wild Draw

For a more intense gaming experience, whenever players don’t have a playable piece, they must keep drawing until they obtain a playable one or until the supply is depleted. (All other fundamental rules remain valid)

No Draw

When players come across a piece that doesn’t match, they skip their turn instead of drawing. (All other basic rules remain valid).

No Draw – 2 Teams of 2 Players

When we play this version of the game, we all start by DRAWING 7 pieces. That means there isn’t a pile of extra pieces to use. Each of us gets our own set of pieces.

In order to win, one of my teammates needs to be declared the winner. (You can find the basic rules to determine the winner.)

If our team wins, we get points for the Bendominoes that are left over from the other team.