Officia Bendomino Rules

Last Updated on November 4, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Bendomino is a clever twist on the classic game of dominoes. Each piece is curved, adding a unique layer of strategy to the familiar matching gameplay. You’ll need to think ahead, block opponents, and use each bend to your advantage. With equal parts strategy, luck, and laughter, Bendomino is fun for all ages.

Number of Players: 2-4 | Ages: 5+ | Game Time: 10-20 min

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How to Play Bendomino (Complete Rules)

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Components

• 28 Bendomino tiles

Objective

Be the first player to score 100 points by winning rounds and collecting points from your opponents’ remaining Bendominoes.

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Setup

1. Shuffle all 28 Bendominoes face down in the center of the table.
2. Each player draws their starting hand:
   • 2 players: 7 Bendominoes each
   • 3 players: 6 Bendominoes each
   • 4 players: 5 Bendominoes each
3. Stand your Bendominoes on edge so only you can see your dots.
4. The remaining tiles form the stock pile.

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Starting the Game

• The player with the highest double (e.g., 6/6) goes first and places it in the center.
• If no double is drawn, the player with the highest total tile (for example, 6/5) starts.

Taking Turns

Players take turns clockwise. On your turn:

1. Try to match one of your Bendominoes to either open end of the chain by number and fit (the curve must align correctly).
2. If you can’t play, draw one tile from the stock.
   • If the drawn tile fits, you may immediately play it.
3. You may choose to draw and pass even if you have a playable tile.

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Open vs. Closed Positions

• Open position: The new tile only needs a matching number since it can fit either direction.
• Closed position: The new tile must both match in number and curve in the correct direction to fit properly.

Tiles must always connect evenly and align properly to form a smooth continuous chain.

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Blocked Positions

The Bendomino chain can be blocked if:

• No tiles match either open end,
• The curve prevents placement,
• One end is trapped, or
• Both ends connect (rare).

If both ends are blocked, players continue drawing until the stock is empty.

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Ending a Round

A round ends when:

• A player plays their last tile, or
• The stock is empty and no one can play.

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Scoring

• The player who goes out (or has the fewest dots when the round ends) wins the round.
• The winner scores the sum of all dots remaining in opponents’ hands.
• The first player to reach 100 points wins the game.

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Bendomino Variations

Wild Draw

Players must keep drawing until they find a playable tile or the stock runs out. This makes the game faster and more competitive.

No Draw

If a player can’t play, they must pass instead of drawing.

Team Version (No Draw – 2 vs 2):
Each player draws 7 tiles at the start. There’s no stock. The round ends when one teammate goes out. The winning team earns the dot total from the opposing team’s remaining tiles.

All Five Variant

A version inspired by “All Fives” in classic dominoes:

1. Randomly place two Bendominoes back-to-back to start.
2. On your turn, play a matching tile to any of the four open ends.
3. If the sum of all four ends equals a multiple of five, score that total immediately.
4. Continue as normal; the first to reach 200 points wins.

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FAQ – Bendomino Rules

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Video Tutorial