At the start of each game, take a good look at your hand. If needed, rearrange the hand so that dominoes of same suit are grouped together.
Look for strengthsCount how many tiles match each number. More dominoes of a single suit is a strength. E.g. if you have 5 of a suit you can attack with that suit.
Look for gapsIf you observer that you are missing suits, then your goal will be to encourage development of other suits and discourage development of the missing suits.
Assess your doublesUnprotected doubles are generally a weakness. They have limited play-ability and can be killed (i.e. stuck in your hand).
Count your pipsAssess the load. A hand filled with "light" or low scoring dominoes can be an advantage if the game is blocked.
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Scenarios
You hold five fours, including . A good strategy is to attack with 4s - perhaps leading with the
You should also keep an eye out for and/or encourage development of the remaining 4s since your hand is stronger when they are played.
This is a weak hand with many doubles.
Strategies could include trying to shed doubles as soon as you can while supporting your partner.
You have three blanks and three twos, with joining them. Your two doubles, and , both have support. You have no fives or sixes, and a low count hand.
Develop blanks or twos while looking for chances to clear the doubles.
Every number appears on two tiles, there are no doubles, and the hand totals 42 pips. You have no long suit to push, but no missing number at the start either.
Watch which numbers your partner plays and help bring those back. Cover an opponent’s useful number when you can. Keep your range of numbers when choices are otherwise similar, and revise the plan as your hand gets shorter.
