Partner dominoes: rules and strategy

Partner is the favourite game in the Jamaican yard: two against two, partners sitting opposite each other, seven bones each.

Rules

• The double six opens the set, and play goes anticlockwise.
• If a blocked hand is counted, the lowest single player wins it for their side, even if their partner holds a lot.
• Sets are six love or first to six. See six love and the bruk.
• Pass the pose: the winning side may give the pose to the partner, after the deal. Not when the double six is forced.

Strategy the yard uses

• Read the passes. A pass tells you a player is out of both open numbers. Remember it.
• Play to your partner. Keep open the numbers your partner has shown they hold.
• Do not feed the next player. The player on your right is an opponent; do not open a number they are strong in.
• Count the suit. Seven bones carry each number. Once you have seen most of them, you know who holds the rest.

The Academy teaches all of this step by step, and Beat di Table lets you practise it against the Yard Crew.

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