The kind of player, usually a beginner, that always plays their highest-numbered dominoes first - their “fat” numbers. When your last domino can be played on either end of the domino game. La capicúa - “The head and tail” (from Catalan) When the game ends, players have to mix and shuffle the domino set. When you know someone has a domino that can be played but is waiting for the right moment to surprise their opponents.ĭar agua al domino - “To give water to the domino” When you make a neutral play, like playing a double. When nobody can make another play, everyone must count their dominoes to determine who has the lowest number and is the winner of the game. Woohoo!Įso es tranque y a virarse - “The game is blocked and time to flip your dominoes” This is a way of saying that you played your last domino and you won the game. In Cuba, it’s often very difficult to keep gameplay quiet and players will usually make a lot of noise.so good luck. Say this when someone is talking too much. The truth of the matter is it doesn't matter if you lose as long as you act confident and make enough noise - bravado and theatrics are the real winners on the street!Įl dominó lo inventó un mudo - “Dominoes was invented by a mute” If you really want to learn how to play the game like a local, then you need to learn some popular Cuban dominoes slang that will definitely impress those around you. Cheating in professional games can land you in some serious trouble, especially if betting is involved. A little cheating is only accepted (and expected) in friendly games. Cubans often talk throughout the game, boasting and making jokes in order to distract their opponent’s attention and to sometimes warn their partners using an encrypted phrase. You should avoid playing tiles on the dominoes that your partner played unless you have no other choice.ĭominoes in Cuba is a game that requires acute awareness and the ability to communicate your strategy and tiles to your partner without saying a word. The domino you play initially gives clues to your partner. In general, the player who leads with the first tile sets the strategy for the game and their partner will follow. Once you start playing your strong numbers, you must repeat that play as much as possible in order to “bleed” your opponent of tiles with that number and thus, forcing them to pass.Īs this is a team sport you must also play in a way that complements your partner’s hand and/or strategy. As there are a finite number of tiles and numbers, it is strategic to play your strongest numbers and those that you have the most of. Once the “block” is set, you want to maintain the block for as long as possible. The strategy behind Cuban dominoes involves “counting the table” in order to make accurate guesses as to which dominoes your opponent has and making plays that block or prevent ( tranques) your opponents from making a play. So, how you play Cuban dominoes and actually have a chance at winning? Well, look no further and read on. In this case, the losing team counts the total of their remaining dominoes and the points are awarded to the winning team’s score. If players wish to play formally, then the first team to reach 150 points wins the game. This player’s team actually wins because their partner “rides along” with the victory of their partner. If none of the players can make any more plays, the game ends but each player has to count the value of the remaining dominoes that they have and the player with the lowest total wins. Play continues until one player runs out of dominoes. Only one line of dominoes is played, so there are only two points on which to play, and only one tile can be played each turn. During a social gathering when there are many people wanting to play, a best-of-three structure is followed. Your teammate is the person sitting directly across the table from you. The game involves two teams of two players and usually a bottle of Cuban rum. introduction to Cuban dominoes rulesĬuban dominoes utilize a double-nine set of 55 domino tiles (except in Santiago de Cuba and other eastern provinces where they traditionally play with a double-six set of 28 domino tiles). While walking through the streets, it’s common to hear the click-clack of dominoes and boisterous arguing or laughing. Cuban dominoes are a daily social event that combines competition with camaraderie. Cuban dominoes rules distinguish it from other countries mainly because of the extensive slang used by players during gameplay - an essential feature of their idiosyncrasy. So what makes Cuban dominoes special? Dominoes was created in the early 13th century in China’s Song dynasty, later brought to the Americas by the Europeans, and is now considered a classic and universal game in Cuba, played by all generations, genders, and classes.
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