How Many Pieces in a Domino Set? Double 6, 9 & 12 Explained
Open a wooden box of dominoes and the first question is almost always the same: how many tiles should be inside? Count them, and you can tell at a glance which set you are holding.
A standard double-six set holds 28 pieces. Larger sets hold more, and each size suits a slightly different game and group. Knowing the numbers helps you choose well the first time.
If you are buying for children, it is worth checking that the set has been made to proper safety standards. Our dominoes are UKCA and CE tested, so a family set can be handled by small players with confidence.
How Many Dominoes Are in a Set? The Numbers for Every Set Size Explained
The number of tiles in a domino set follows a simple rule. Every possible pairing of pip values appears once, and the total grows quickly as the highest number rises.
A double-six set, the most familiar kind, contains 28 pieces. The pips run from a blank-blank up to a six-six, and this is the size most people picture when they think of dominoes.
A double-nine set contains 55 pieces, and a double-twelve set contains 91. Each step adds a longer line of tiles and a longer game to match.
If you want to work out any size yourself, the formula is (n+1)(n+2)/2, where n is the highest number of pips on the set. For a double-six, that is (7×8)/2, which gives 28. For a double-nine it gives 55, and so on.
The larger sets are not simply bigger for the sake of it. More tiles mean more players can take a full hand, and games such as Mexican Train come into their own. A double-nine like our Double Nine Dominoes mahogany cased set gives plenty of room for a family group.
We cover the counting in more detail in our guide to how many dominoes in a set, which walks through each size with examples. For now, the short answer is that the highest double tells you everything: name the double, and the piece count follows.
What You Need to Set Up and Start a Game of Dominoes
Setting up a game of dominoes asks very little, which is part of its lasting appeal. You need a set of tiles, a flat surface, and at least two players.
Begin by placing all the tiles face down and shuffling them with your hands. This jumble is traditionally called the boneyard, and it keeps the draw fair.
Each player then takes a hand of tiles. In a two-player game with a double-six set, seven tiles each is common; with more players, or a larger set, hands are smaller so there are enough to go round. The remaining tiles stay in the boneyard for drawing.
Stand your own tiles on their edge, facing you, so your opponents cannot read your hand. A long table or the floor works well, since the line of play can stretch further than you expect.
A good set makes the whole ritual more pleasant. Weighted tiles with clear, deep pips sit steadily and read easily across the table. You will find several in our traditional games collection, alongside other classics worth owning.
For families who enjoy the branching version of the game, our Mexican Train dominoes in a wooden box arrive with the hub and markers you need to start that style of play straight away.
That is the whole of the preparation. No board, no setup beyond a shuffle, and nothing that cannot be cleared away in a moment. It is one reason dominoes have travelled so easily between homes and generations, and why a single box can serve a household for years.
How Do You Play Dominoes? Rules, Turns, and How to Win
The core of dominoes is matching ends. Players take turns to lay a tile so that its number touches a matching number already on the table, building a single line outward.
Whoever holds the highest double, or in some rules draws it, usually goes first. Each player then adds one tile per turn, joining a six to a six, a three to a three, and so on along the growing chain.
If you cannot match either open end, you draw from the boneyard until you can, or pass if nothing remains to draw. Play passes to the left, and the line of tiles snakes across the surface.
A round ends when one player lays their last tile and calls out, or when the game is blocked because no one can move. The player who is out, or the one holding the fewest pips, wins the round.
Scoring is where the game sharpens. Players count the pips left in their opponents' hands, and those totals are added to the winner's score across several rounds. The first to an agreed target, often 100 or 250, wins overall.
Variations are many, from the branching Mexican Train to simpler matching games for young children. Larger sets suit the more elaborate versions, which is why they appear often among our board games for family evenings.
Children pick up the matching idea quickly, and the counting at the end gives gentle arithmetic practice without feeling like a lesson. The same thinking that helps at the table helps elsewhere, much as the measuring and ordering in our piece on the many benefits of cooking with children builds everyday number sense.
Which Domino Set Size Is Right for Your Number of Players?
The right set size depends mostly on how many people will play. A larger set means more tiles to deal, so more players can each take a full hand.
For two players, a double-six set of 28 pieces is ample. It gives a brisk game with enough tiles for strategy without a long setup, and it remains the classic choice for a couple or a pair of children.
For three or four players, a double-nine set of 55 pieces works better. There are enough tiles for everyone to start with a healthy hand and still leave a boneyard to draw from. Our Double Nine mahogany cased set fits this group comfortably.
For larger gatherings of four to eight, a double-twelve set of 91 pieces, or a double-nine used for Mexican Train, comes into its own. These games are built around bigger sets and more players, and they reward a full table.
Mexican Train in particular is a sociable, forgiving game that suits mixed ages. Our Mexican Train set makes a natural gift for a household that likes to play together.
If you are unsure, a double-nine is the versatile middle choice. It handles two players perfectly well and scales up to a family group without feeling short of tiles.
Think, too, about where the game will be played. A set that travels to a garden table sits happily alongside our outdoor games, extending play beyond the sitting room on warmer days.
Match the set to the people, and the game looks after itself.
What to Look for When Buying a Domino Set for the Family
A domino set is a long-term purchase, so a little care in choosing pays off for years. The feel of the tiles matters more than most people expect.
Look for tiles with weight and a smooth, flat face. A well-made domino sits firmly on its edge, which keeps your hand hidden and the line of play steady. Thin, light tiles tend to slide and topple.
Clear, deeply marked pips make the game easier for everyone, especially younger players and older eyes. Good contrast between the pips and the tile face lets you read the board at a glance.
For family use, check that the set has been properly tested. Ours are made to UKCA and CE standards, so a box left within reach of small children is a sensible thing to own rather than a worry.
The storage case is worth a thought as well. A snug wooden box keeps the tiles together and protects them between games, and it turns the set into something pleasant to hand down. Many families keep the same set for a generation.
Consider how the set fits with the rest of your games cupboard. Dominoes sit naturally beside other classics in our traditional games, and alongside the building sets and puzzles in our wooden toys for younger children.
Dominoes carry a long history, from 13th-century China to their arrival in Venice and Naples in the early 1700s. The word itself is thought to come from the Latin dominus, by way of a black-and-white hooded cloak. A well-chosen set lets your family add to that story.
£31.99 · value · tested to UKCA/CE
£32.99 · gift · tested to UKCA/CE
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Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Pieces In A Domino Set
How many pieces are in a standard domino set?
A standard double-six domino set contains 28 pieces. Each tile features two ends bearing pips from zero to six, and every possible combination appears exactly once. The total can be calculated using the formula (n+1)(n+2)/2, where n is the highest pip value — so for a double-six set: (6+1)(6+2)/2 = 28. This is the most common set size, widely available and suitable for two to four players enjoying classic domino games such as Block, Draw, or All Fives.
How many dominoes are in a double 12 set?
A double-twelve domino set contains 91 pieces. Using the formula (n+1)(n+2)/2, where n equals 12: (13×14)/2 = 91. This larger set accommodates more players than a standard double-six set and is particularly well suited to games such as Mexican Train, where having a greater variety of tiles adds strategic depth. Jaques of London double-twelve sets are crafted to high quality standards, making them a solid choice for families or groups who regularly play with five or more people.
How many players can play dominoes?
Dominoes is flexible in terms of player numbers. A standard double-six set (28 tiles) works well for two to four players. A double-nine set (55 tiles) comfortably accommodates up to six players, while a double-twelve set (91 tiles) can support eight or more. Some games, such as Mexican Train, are specifically designed for larger groups. At its simplest, dominoes can be enjoyed by just two players, making it equally suitable as a head-to-head game or a lively group activity for family gatherings.
What are the rules of dominoes for beginners?
In the most common beginner version, Draw Dominoes, tiles are shuffled face-down and each player draws a hand. Players take turns placing a tile so that one of its ends matches the open end of the domino chain on the table. If a player cannot match, they draw from the remaining tiles (the boneyard) until they can play. The first player to place all their tiles wins. If the boneyard runs out and no one can play, the player with the fewest pips remaining wins. Keep turns orderly and matches must always be numerically correct.
How do you set up a game of dominoes?
To set up dominoes, place all tiles face-down on the table and shuffle them thoroughly — this collection of face-down tiles is called the boneyard. Each player draws their starting hand: typically seven tiles in a two-player game, or five tiles when three or four are playing. Players keep their tiles hidden from opponents, often standing them upright. The player holding the highest double, or the highest-value tile, usually places the first tile to start the chain. Remaining tiles stay face-down in the boneyard, available to draw from during play.
How do you win at dominoes?
In most domino games, you win by being the first player to place all your tiles. In Draw or Block Dominoes, the round ends when one player empties their hand, or when the game is blocked and no one can play. Scoring varies by game: in some versions the winner scores the total pips remaining in opponents' hands. Across multiple rounds, the player who first reaches an agreed points target — often 100 or 200 — wins the match. Strategic tile management, tracking what opponents hold, and controlling the chain's open ends all improve your chances.
What is the difference between a double 6 and a double 9 domino set?
A double-six domino set contains 28 tiles, with pip values ranging from zero to six on each end. A double-nine set contains 55 tiles, extending pip values from zero to nine. The double-nine set supports more players and a wider range of games due to the greater number and variety of tiles. For two to four players playing classic games, a double-six set is perfectly sufficient. If you regularly play with larger groups or enjoy games such as Mexican Train, a double-nine or double-twelve set offers more flexibility.
How many dominoes do you start with each?
The number of tiles each player starts with depends on both the set being used and the number of players. With a standard double-six set, two players typically draw seven tiles each; with three or four players, five tiles each is customary. When using a double-nine set, seven tiles per player is common for larger groups. For a double-twelve set, players often start with up to nine or ten tiles. Remaining tiles after the draw form the boneyard, which players draw from during the game when they cannot make a valid play.
What do you need to play dominoes?
To play dominoes you need only a set of domino tiles and a flat playing surface. A standard double-six set of 28 tiles is sufficient for most classic games with two to four players. No dice, board, or additional equipment is required. A larger set — double-nine (55 tiles) or double-twelve (91 tiles) — is recommended if you are playing with more people or wish to play games such as Mexican Train. Some players use a score pad and pencil to track points across multiple rounds, particularly in longer competitive sessions.
Are dominoes suitable for children and what age can they start playing?
Dominoes is well suited to children and can typically be introduced from around age five or six, when most children can recognise numbers and match simple values. The straightforward matching rules of Draw or Block Dominoes make it an accessible introduction to turn-taking, counting, and basic strategy. Younger children may also enjoy arranging tiles in lines and toppling them, which supports fine motor skills. Jaques of London domino sets are made to high quality standards, and sets with clearly marked pips are ideal for younger players still developing number recognition.