Schoolyard Dominoes is a simplified two-player training version of All Fives. It uses a smaller set of dominoes, simple chip scoring, and shorter rounds so young children can learn the rhythm of the game without being overwhelmed. The goal is to help children practice matching, counting, taking turns, noticing patterns, and understanding that every play changes the table.

This version is designed for two players. It works well with one adult and one child, two children with adult guidance, or a parent teaching siblings one at a time. Because the tile set is smaller and the scoring is easier to see, young players can focus on learning the game instead of getting lost in too many numbers, tiles, or rules at once.

What You Need

To play Schoolyard Dominoes, you need a standard double-six domino set, but you will only use part of it.Remove every tile that has a five or a six on either side. The Schoolyard Dominoes set uses only tiles with blanks, ones, twos, threes, and fours. After removing the fives and sixes, you should have 15 playable tiles total.You will also need:

• 10 black poker chips
• 1 green poker chip
• A flat table or playing surface

The black chips are used for scoring. Each black chip is worth 5 points. The green chip is used to show which player has the Down, meaning the right to start the next round.

The Goal of the Game

The goal is to win all of your opponent’s black chips.At the beginning of the game, all 10 black chips start in the Bank. As players score, they take chips from the Bank. Once the Bank is empty, players begin taking scoring chips from each other. The game ends immediately when one player owns all 10 black chips.This chip system makes scoring visible for young children. Instead of only hearing numbers, they can see points move across the table.

Setting Up the Game

First, remove all dominoes that contain a five or a six. Only the tiles from blank through four should remain.Place the 10 black chips in a stack near the table. This stack is called the Bank. Each black chip counts as 5 points.Place the green chip nearby. This chip marks which player has the Down.Turn the 15 dominoes face down and mix them well.Each player draws 5 tiles. The remaining 5 tiles stay face down in the middle or off to the side. These remaining tiles are called the boneyard.

Deciding Who Goes First

For the first round, each player looks at the tiles they drew. The player with the highest total pip count on a single tile gets the first Down and plays first.

The highest possible tile in Schoolyard Dominoes is the 4/4, because it has 8 total pips. After that comes the 4/3 with 7 total pips. The next highest tiles have 6 total pips, but the 4/2 ranks ahead of the 3/3 because the 4 is higher than the 3.

If two tiles have the same total pip count, the tile with the highest single side ranks first. For example, with a total pip count of 5, the 4/1 ranks ahead of the 3/2. With a total pip count of 4, the order is 4/0, then 3/1, then 2/2.

Use that same pattern until the highest drawn tile is found. The player holding that tile starts the first round.

Playing the First Tile

The player with the Down begins the round by choosing any tile from their hand and placing it on the table.This first tile starts the layout. After that, players take turns adding matching tiles to the open ends of the domino line.

A tile can only be played if one side of that tile matches an open end on the table.

For example, if the open end is a 3, the player must play a tile that has a 3 on one side. If the open end is a blank, the player must play a tile with a blank.

Taking Turns

Players take turns back and forth.On each turn, the player should look at the open ends of the layout and check their hand for a matching tile. If they have a playable tile, they play one tile.

After the tile is played, both players may count the open ends together. This is especially helpful when teaching younger children. Counting out loud helps children connect the dots, numbers, and score.

The adult should encourage the child to slow down, look at both ends of the table, and think before playing. Schoolyard Dominoes is not about rushing. It is about learning how to see the table.

What Happens If a Player Cannot Play

If a player cannot play, they must draw from the boneyard.The player draws tiles one at a time until they pull a playable tile or until the boneyard is empty.

If the player draws a playable tile, they play it immediately.

If the boneyard runs out and the player still cannot play, they keep any tiles they drew, and their turn ends.

If the boneyard is already empty and a player cannot play, the player knocks once or twice on the table to show they cannot move. The player may also say, “Knock.” Then the turn passes to the other player.

This teaches children that sometimes the correct move is simply admitting they cannot play and waiting for the next opportunity.

Counting the Open Ends

After every play, count the open ends of the domino layout.

A player scores when the open ends add up to a multiple of five. In Schoolyard Dominoes, the scoring totals will usually be:

• 5 points
• 10 points
• 15 points
• 20 points

Because the set only uses blanks through fours, the numbers stay smaller and easier for children to manage.

For example, if one open end is 2 and the other open end is 3, the total is 5. That player scores 5 points and takes 1 black chip.

If the open ends total 10, the player scores 10 points and takes 2 black chips.

Schoolyard Scoring With Chips

Each black chip is worth 5 points.Use this simple scoring rule:

• 5 points = 1 black chip
• 10 points = 2 black chips
• 15 points = 3 black chips
• 20 points = 4 black chips

The child does not need to write down scores. They only need to count the open ends and move the right number of chips.

This makes scoring easier to understand because the points become something the child can see and touch.

The Bank

At the beginning of the game, all 10 black chips are placed in the Bank.

When a player scores, the player takes chips from the Bank.

For example, if a player scores 10 points, they take 2 black chips from the Bank.

The Bank remains the source of scoring chips until it is empty.

When Points Go “Into the Streets”

Once the Bank is empty, points are considered to be in the Streets.

That means scoring players now take chips from their opponent instead of from the Bank.

For example, if the Bank is empty and a player scores 5 points, that player takes 1 black chip from the other player.

If a player scores 10 points, they take 2 black chips from the other player.

This keeps the game moving toward a clear ending. Eventually, one player will own all 10 black chips.

If the Bank Runs Out During a Score

Sometimes the Bank may not have enough chips to pay the full score.

If that happens, the scoring player takes whatever is left in the Bank first. Then the unpaid difference comes from the opponent.

For example, if there is only 1 chip left in the Bank and a player scores 15 points, that player should receive 3 chips total. The player takes the 1 remaining chip from the Bank and then takes 2 chips from the opponent.

The game ends immediately when one player owns all 10 black chips.

What It Means to Domino

A player dominoes when they play the last tile in their hand.

When a player lays down their final tile, they should clearly say, “Domino.”

This ends the round unless the game itself has already ended because one player now owns all 10 black chips.

Dominoing is important because it gives the child a clear sense of accomplishment. They finished their hand, ended the round, and earned the next Down.

The Down

The green chip shows which player has the Down.

The Down means that player gets to start the next round by playing any tile they choose from their hand.

At the beginning of the first round, the Down belongs to the player with the highest tile drawn.

After that, the Down is earned. Whenever a player dominoes by playing their last tile, that player takes the green chip and starts the next round.

This gives children a visible reminder that finishing a round matters. The green chip becomes a small sign of responsibility and leadership at the table.

Ending a Round

A round can end in two ways.

First, a round ends when one player dominoes by playing their last tile.

Second, a round ends when both players are blocked and neither player can play.

If one player dominoes, that player takes the green Down chip and will lead the next round.

The dominoing player also receives a bonus: 1 black chip for every tile the opponent still holds.

Pay this bonus from the Bank first. If the Bank cannot cover the full bonus, the remaining amount comes from the opponent.

After the round ends, mix all 15 tiles again, turn them face down, and deal a new round.

If Both Players Are Blocked

Sometimes neither player can play, and the boneyard is empty. If both players are blocked, the round ends.

For younger children, the simplest way to handle a blocked round is to stop the round, mix the tiles again, and begin a new round with the same player keeping the Down unless the adult chooses to treat the lowest remaining hand as the round winner.

For first-time players, the most important thing is not to overcomplicate blocked rounds. The goal is learning, repetition, and confidence. As the child improves, the adult can introduce more complete blocked-round handling.

Beginner Rules for Ages 5 and Up

Schoolyard Dominoes is built to teach, so beginners should be allowed support while they are learning.

Parents may use these beginner-friendly rules:

Count together.
Both players may count the open ends out loud after every play. This helps the child hear and understand the math.

Use chips as math helpers.
Remind the child that 1 chip means 5 points, 2 chips mean 10 points, 3 chips mean 15 points, and 4 chips mean 20 points.

No stealing points.
Young players should not lose points just because they forgot to notice a score. If the open ends make a scoring total, help the child see it and award the score.

Coach card.
Each child may ask one “Can I play this?” question per round without penalty. This gives the child help without turning every play into adult instruction.

Open-hand teaching mode.
For first-time players, children may play with their tiles face up while learning. This lets the adult explain choices and help the child understand possible moves.

Teaching Tips for Parents

Keep the first few games slow and encouraging. Let the child touch the tiles, count the dots, move the chips, and say the numbers out loud. The goal is not to rush them into mastery. The goal is to help them feel comfortable at the table.

Celebrate good thinking, not just winning. If a child notices a match, counts correctly, waits their turn, remembers a number, or makes a thoughtful play, that is progress.

Correction should be calm and simple. Instead of saying, “That’s wrong,” try saying, “Let’s look again,” or “What number is open on this end?” This keeps the table from feeling stressful.

The more relaxed the table feels, the more likely the child is to keep coming back. Schoolyard Dominoes works best when the child feels challenged, supported, and proud of learning something real.