How to Play Chickenfoot Dominoes

How to Play Chickenfoot Dominoes

Equipment

• 1 Centerpiece – Optional starting piece placed in the middle of the table
• 55 Double 9 Dominoes – A double 9 dominoes set consisting of all possible pairs of numbers or dots known as “pips” from 0 to 9
• Scorepad – For tracking points for each round

Starting off Rounds

Each player draws a set of dominoes from a shuffled face down the pile to create their “hand”, making sure the domino values are concealed from their opponents. The number of dominoes each player draws varies with the number of players.

The leftover dominoes are placed on the side and referred to as the “chicken yard.”

Chicken foot establishes a round with a starting “double” (a tile with the same amount of pips or the same number on each end) placed in the centerpiece. For a double 9 set, you begin the first round with the double 9 domino.

The subsequent rounds begin with the next highest double, double 8, and the following round double 7, all the way to double 0 for a total of ten rounds. If no one has the required starting double then each player simultaneously draws a domino from the chicken yard until it is found and a starting player is determined.

Going clockwise, the next player must play a domino from their hand off the starting double. This domino must have a matching end to the starting double. If they do not have one, they draw a domino from the chicken yard and play that if possible. If not, the player calls “Pass” and the turn moves to the next player. The following player repeats the process of trying to play off the starting double and this continues until all sides of the centerpiece are filled.

Optionally, one can also play with just six sides or four sides filled and also without the centerpiece. This is merely a matter of preference.

Subsequent Turns

After all the sides are played off the starting double, plays can continue off any exposed end domino as long as the ends match.

If the player is unable to add a domino, then the player must draw a domino from the chicken yard and play that domino immediately if he is able to. Otherwise, he must pass. If there are no dominoes remaining to draw from, then the player simply passes.

The Chickenfoot

If a player plays a double, the double must be placed perpendicular to the domino played off of. The player then calls “Chickie” plus the numbers played. For example, if a double 5 was played, the player would call “Chickie Fives.” The next three plays must be made off that double, creating an arrangement that resembles a chicken foot.

If the player is unable to play on that double, he must draw from the chicken yard and play that domino if possible or else pass. Once the Chickenfoot has completed, the plays can continue off any exposed matching end again.

Completing a round

A round is completed when one player plays the last domino in their hand or no players are able to make a legal play.

At this point, each player records their points for the round by totaling the number of pips from the dominoes remaining in their hand. An optional rule is to score double 0 tiles as 50 points.

Completing the game

The game ends after all 10 rounds are played. The player with the lowest total score for all the rounds wins!

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