What to Expect When Playing Dominoes With a Caribbean

From Haitian corner bars to Jamaican beaches to Cuban cafes to the streets of Puerto Rico, a game of dominoes is the primary reason two or more people are sitting around a table making loud noises in the Caribbean.

When non-Caribbean's think of dominoes, they think of the classic game where each player tries to match the ends of tiles with the same number. However, there are many variations of dominoes, and each region has its unique way of playing the game. 

So if you're planning on playing dominoes with your Caribbean friend, then there are a few things you should know. Read on to learn what to expect when you play dominoes in the Caribbean. So stick around!

It Will Get Noisy and Physical

There is seldom a time when dominoes is just a simple game in the Caribbean; it's a thrilling combination of sport and entertainment.

It usually begins with the players bantering about who will win. This brawl is followed by total silence until someone emerges the winner with a hard "slack!" and "crack!" sound on the table.

When he wins, the Caribbean dominoes player leaps to his feet and smacks his tile with a flourish onto a solid card table. He wants to shout his brilliant play from the rooftops for all to hear. He feels good about himself as the excitement increases.

Then, the other one or more players who just lost slump back in their seats and chat among themselves. A few jokes are told, often at the expense of the losing players. You don't want to be in this situation because Caribbean players don't go easy on the teasing.

For the Caribbean winner, there must be jumping up and gesturing in different funny manners. If the players place their dominoes gently and quietly on the table without some hard smacking, check again; the players are likely not from the Caribbean. On the islands, a game of dominoes isn't considered to exist until someone violently smacks the table, sending bones flying in all directions.

Those who are nearby move in closer as the ruckus draws their attention. They await their chance to participate in the following round, but they are smart enough to avoid interfering with the game.

Caribbean's are quite expressive, and this is especially true when they participate in sports and games. So every play, point, or score must be loudly celebrated with jeers directed at the opposing players. 

It's Not Domino Tiles But Bones

In other parts of the world where the game of dominoes is played, they likely refer to the pieces as "tiles." or "stones." However, this is not the case with people from the Caribbean; they refer to them as "bones."

They are dubbed "bones" because the earliest dominoes tiles were created from animal bones or ivory. The name has remained, and you'll probably hear it when playing dominoes with your Caribbean friends, whether because of the dominoes' rough surface or their color.

Also, dominoes were usually constructed with ebony "pips" inlaid. In the Caribbean, the term "pip" is sometimes used to refer to a "spot," which may be why the spots on dominoes are known as "pips."

They Are Good at Reading Your "Bones"

One thing to remember when playing dominoes with the Caribbean is that they know what bones you have at hand. 

The layperson may assume that playing dominoes is a straightforward game. On the islands, however, it is a disciplined test of wit, strategy, and analytical abilities. So be vigilant and pay great attention to the game. 

A skilled Caribbean player doesn't need to be a mathematical prodigy, but they need to have an excellent memory of previously played tiles, especially when playing the partner game.

Caribbeans often read the dominoes as part of their attempt to reach six-love. They can determine who possesses which "bones" and alter their strategy to win by examining the "bones" that each player plays.

So next time you play dominoes with your Caribbean friends, keep your eyes open!

You Are in for a Six-Love

You don't play an ordinary game when you are playing dominoes with your Caribbean friends. They are out to win you flawlessly so they can jump and scream.

For islanders, the goal of every dominoes game is to defeat other players with the ideal score of 6:0, referred to as "six-love." The winner in a dominoes game is often the first person to win up to six games. However, for Caribbean players, winning with a flawless 6:0 is the best way of winning.

In the Dekabès Domino, you can modify the settings to the six-love option. However, you must bear in mind that when this feature is turned on, you can only win with a 6-0.

Tips for Playing Dominoes With a Caribbean 

Now that you know what to expect when playing dominoes with your Caribbean friends, here are some tips you should also keep in mind.

Play Your Doubles First

In the game of dominoes, you will have limited chances to place doubles on the layout because they have the same pip values on both ends. For this reason, it's a good idea to play them whenever you can, preferably earlier in the game before it gets heated. 

With doubles, it's far too simple to become trapped. So be ruthless and dash the hope of your opponent's doubles if you can.

Know the Pips Your Opponents Don't Have

When playing dominoes with the Caribbean, observe your rival's areas of weakness. This is because, as stated earlier, they will also study you to learn your weaknesses too. 

So keep in mind which pip values your opponent lacks if they pass on their play or draw from the boneyard. This increases your ability to block them in later gameplay.

Learn to Read the Tiles in Your Opponent's Hand

Islanders are good at reading the game to know what tiles other players are holding. As such, when in a game with them, you must learn how to discover your rival's hand by using the skill of "reading." 

You may easily find out what tiles your opponents are holding in their hands if you look at the arrangement of already-played tiles and the tiles in your hand. 

As more tiles are added to the layout, this gets simpler. You'll quickly figure out which tiles to play with from your hand to block your opponents.

Bottom Line

Dominoes are to the Caribbean's like baseball is to the Americans and football to the Brazilians. As such, when playing dominoes with the Caribbean, you should expect some extra high energy and enthusiasm.

Caribbean dominoes is a game that is full of surprises. It gets very noisy and physical. Not only are the players trying to read your "bones," but they also want to win with a flawless six-love.

So when next you're playing dominoes with your Caribbean friends, ensure to have all this at the back (or front) of your mind so you can beat them at their game.

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