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[edit] Chickie Dominos (Chicken Foot)

Chicken Dominos is a low score wins dominos game, similar to Private Trains (Domino Game). Chickie Dominos is played in rounds, one round for each double domino in the set.

[edit] Setup

For double 6 dominos 7 rounds are played. The score keeper writes a score sheet and creates seven score columns for each player. The score keeper also keeps track of which double domino started the round. All dominos are face down in the center. Each player picks 7 dominos at random to make their hand.

The opening play in a game of Chickie Dominos begins with the highest double in the deck. If no player has the highest double in their hand, then the next highest double is played and so on.

[edit] The First Round

The player with the double 6 lays it down in the center of the play field. If no player has the double 6 then the player with the next highest double plays it. The player to the left of the player who led the double 6 plays any domino in their hand with a 6 on it on one of the four sides of the double 6 with the played domino's 6 against a free side of the double 6. The next player plays another 6 on a remaining side until all four sides are filled. If a player cannot play because they do not have a 6, then the player draws one domino from the bone yard and either plays it because it has a 6 or calls "Pass". No other plays can be made until all four sides of the double are filled. Once all four sides are filled, the player to the left of the last person to fill the 6 can play any domino in their hand that matches an exposed end of a played domino. If a player is unable to match any exposed dominos, they must draw one domino from the bone pile and either play it if possible or call "Pass". If no dominos remain to draw from, the player simply calls "Pass".

The result of Chickie Fours shows the double four played against the previously open 6:4, followed by three more fours played on the double four. No other numbers may be played until the required three fours are played.

[edit] Chickie

Any time a player plays a double on an exposed domino where the double is the same number as the exposed domino, the player calls "Chickie (Number)". For example, if a player played a double 5 on the end of a 6/5 domino they would lay it long side against the end with the 5 and call "Chickie Fives". No other dominos can be played until three more 5's are played against the double 5. The three dominos played against the double 5 are played on the long side opposite the side originally played. The end result will look like a chicken foot with the double 5 having one domino laid perpendicular to one side, and three more dominos on the opposite side, the middle being perpendicular and the other two at 45 degrees to perpendicular. Any player who does not have a 5 must draw a domino from the bone pile and either play it if it has a 5 or call "Pass". Once all three 5's are played, the next player may play any domino in their hand on any exposed end that matches. Play continues until a player is out of dominos or no player can make a legal play.

[edit] Ending a round

A round is over when either one player plays the last domino in their hand or no players can make a legal play. This situation can occur if someone chickie's a number that no longer has three remaining free dominos to play on it.

At the end of a round, each player adds the spots on the dominos in their hand and adds this to their score. The score keeper crosses out the double that lead the round and the next round begins with the highest double left. When all 7 rounds are played, the player with the lowest score wins.

[edit] Strategy

Since the object of the game is to have the lowest score, it is in your best interest to get rid of your high value dominos and at the same time, prevent your opponents from playing theirs. To this end, one strategy is to try to keep high value exposed ends covered which prevents opponents from chickie-ing them. Another strategy is to horde low value dominos and try to use up a particular number which you have the double for. Once you know that there are no longer three free dominos to complete the chickie, you control when the round ends by playing the chickie. This is especially good when you also have that number as your last domino. It also pays to keep the double blank since it adds no value to your score. Like poker, watching for looks of desperation on your opponents faces can clue you in to who has the big doubles.