1. The Objective
Milo is a partnership domino game. Each hand, one player tries to go out first by playing every tile in their hand onto a single line. Their team scores a point, or two for a Milo. The first team to 5 points wins the match.
2. The Table
- Players: four, in two partnerships. Partners sit across from each other: you and Jules against Rowan and Avery.
- Tiles: a double-six set. All 28 tiles are dealt, seven each, so there is no boneyard.
- The lead: the first hand is opened by whoever holds the 6–6, and they must lead it. After that, the lead moves one seat each hand, and the leader may start with any tile.
3. Playing
Play goes around the table. On your turn, add a tile to either end of the line so its number matches the end it touches. There is no spinner: doubles sit crosswise but only continue the line on their two ends.
On Don Dominoes
Tap a tile in your hand, then tap a gold spot at the end of the line to play it. If it only fits one end, tap the tile again to play it there. The line reads left to right and wraps onto new rows.
4. Passing
If you can play, you must. If no tile in your hand fits either end, you pass; the game does this for you. A pass tells the table something useful: that player holds neither number showing on the ends.
5. Scoring
- Going out: play your last tile and your team scores 1 point.
- Milo: if your last tile leaves both ends of the line showing the same number, your team scores 2 points instead.
- Blocked: if all four players pass in a row, the team holding fewer pips in both partners' hands scores 1 point. Equal totals score nothing.
Winning
The first team to 5 points wins. You can choose a longer match to 10 points when you start a new game.
6. Strategy Tips
- Watch the passes. A player who passed can't hold either end number. Leave those numbers showing to keep an opponent stuck.
- Keep your partner in play. Don't close off the numbers your partner has been playing.
- Shed heavy tiles early. If the hand blocks, fewer pips wins the point.
- Set up the Milo. With two tiles left, aim to leave an end that your last tile can match on both sides.
7. Questions
What is Milo dominoes?
Milo is a partnership domino game from Africa and parts of Indonesia. Four players in two teams deal out all 28 tiles and build one line. Going out scores a point, and going out so both ends of the line show the same number is a Milo, worth two.
How many players does Milo need?
Four, in two partnerships, with partners sitting across from each other. On Don Dominoes you and Jules play against Rowan and Avery.
Is there a boneyard in Milo?
No. All 28 dominoes are dealt, seven each. If you can't play, you pass.
What is a Milo?
Going out with your last tile so that both open ends of the line show the same number. It scores two points instead of one.
What happens when nobody can play?
The hand is blocked. The team holding fewer pips in both partners' hands scores one point. If the totals are equal, nobody scores.
How do you win Milo?
The first team to 5 points wins the match. Don Dominoes also offers a longer match to 10.