Official Concentration (Memory) Rules: A Dominoes Game

Last Updated on March 10, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Concentration, also known as Memory or Pelmanism, is a classic memory game that can be adapted using dominoes instead of cards. Here’s how to play Concentration with dominoes:

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Number of Players

Typically played by 2 players, but can be adjusted for more players (explained later).

Objective: 

Be the player who accumulates the most pairs of dominoes by correctly matching their pips (dots) after they are flipped face down.

Components:

• Double-six domino set (28 dominoes)

Setup:

1. Shuffle the Dominoes: Mix all the dominoes face down on the table.
2. Deal the Dominoes: Depending on the number of players:
   • 2 Players:  Flip all dominoes face down and arrange them in a rectangular grid (e.g., 4 rows of 7 dominoes). Leave some space between each domino for easy flipping.
   • More Players (Optional):  For more than 2 players, you can either:
     • Increase the number of dominoes used (if you have another set).
     • Deal a smaller hand to each player, keeping the remaining dominoes face down as a draw pile for when players make a match.

Gameplay:

Concentration is a turn-taking game that relies on memory and strategic flipping:

1. Turns: Players take turns in a clockwise direction.
2. Flipping Dominoes:
   • On your turn, you will flip over any two face-down dominoes from the grid (or draw pile if playing with more than 2 players).
   • The goal is to find two dominoes that have the same number of pips (a matching pair).
3. Matching Pairs:
   • If the two dominoes you flipped reveal a matching pair (same number of pips on both sides), you win the pair and keep them face up in front of you. You get another turn.
   • If the two dominoes you flipped don’t match, simply flip them back face down in their original positions and the turn passes to the next player.

4. Remembering Positions:

• The key to winning Concentration is memorizing the positions of the dominoes you’ve already seen. This helps you choose dominoes that might be a potential match based on what you’ve previously flipped.

5. End of Game:

• The game ends when all the dominoes have been revealed in matching pairs.

Winning the Game:

• The player with the most number of matching pairs wins the game!

Variations:

• Time Limit:  For a faster-paced game, you can introduce a time limit for each turn (e.g., using a timer or hourglass).
• Points:  Instead of simply collecting pairs, you can assign points to different dominoes based on their value (e.g., higher double dominoes = more points). The player with the most points at the end wins.

Tips and Strategies:

• Pay Attention: Focus on the dominoes you flip, especially their positions on the grid. This will help you remember where potential matches might be.
• Strategic Flips:  As the game progresses, try to choose dominoes that are strategically located near previously flipped dominoes, increasing your chance of finding a match.
• Play with a Partner (More Players):  If playing with more than 2 players, consider playing in teams. This allows for communication and strategizing between teammates to remember domino placements.

Concentration with dominoes offers a fun and challenging memory test that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. So shuffle those dominoes, flip them over, and see who has the sharpest memory!