Also Known As:

• Malakoff

There are several known slight variations, including:

• Cyprus - the set domino must be played off all four sides and two diagonals before any arm may be extended

• Cross - a draw variation for two, three, or four players who receive 7, 6, or 5 dominoes at start; the highest double is set and must be played from all four sides before any arm may be extended; a blocked player must draw from the boneyard

• Fortress - a block variation for four or 6 players played with a double nine set; at start each player receives 13 or 9 dominoes respectively; the double nine is set; all four sides and all four diagonals must be played before any arm may be extended; with 6 players the player on set draws the last domino and plays a second time; with 4 players the player who lost the last hand draws from the boneyard until the double 9 is found if it remains in the boneyard after the deal

Players

four

Boneyard

The double six set is used.

The Deal

Each player receives seven dominoes at the beginning of a round.

The Play

The player holding the double six sets it. From this first domino all four arms (north, south, east, and west) are open. One domino must be played on each of these four arms before any of the four arms may be extended further. Each player in turn must play a domino on one of the open ends by matching a number on the domino to a number on the open end. If a player is unable to play, she must pass. A round ends when a player goes domino or when all players have passed in succession.

Scoring

A player who goes domino scores the points remaining in all opponents' hands.

If a round ends because all players are blocked, each player scores the difference between the count in hand and the points remaining in higher count opponents' hands.

The game ends when one player reaches 100 points.