Chicken Foot Dominoes: How Many Dominoes To Play?

Chicken Foot is a classic domino game that can be played with 2-6 players. While the game is typically played with a double-nine set of dominoes, you can also use a standard double-six set if you have 2 or 3 players or a double-twelve set for a longer game. For 4 players and above, an extended set is required. In the game, each player aims to earn the lowest score by playing as many dominoes from their hand as possible in each round.

Chicken Foot can be played with 2-6 players

Chicken Foot is a fun and easy-to-learn domino game that can be played with 2-6 players. The objective of the game is to get rid of as many dominoes as possible and have the lowest score based on the dominoes remaining before your opponents can do the same. The number of dominoes each player draws varies with the number of players, and the leftover dominoes are placed on the side and referred to as the "chicken yard".

The game begins with a round-starting "double" (a tile with the same number of pips or the same number on each end) placed in the centrepiece. For a double 9 set, the first round starts with the double 9 domino, and subsequent rounds begin with the next highest double (double 8, then double 7, and so on) until double 0, for a total of ten rounds. If no player has the required starting double, each player draws a domino from the chicken yard until it is found, and the player who draws it begins the round.

Each player must play a domino from their hand that matches the starting double. If they cannot, they draw from the chicken yard and play that domino if possible, or else pass. Once a double tile has been played, the next three plays must be made off that double, creating a formation that resembles a chicken foot. This formation is called a Chickenfoot. Tiles played diagonally on the double tile are called "Chickentoes". A Chickenfoot must be completed before any other plays can be made.

A round is completed when one player plays the last domino in their hand or no players can make a legal play. At this point, each player calculates their score for the round by totalling the number of pips on the dominoes remaining in their hand. An optional rule is to score double 0 tiles as 50 points. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game wins.

You need a set of classic dominoes to play

Chicken Foot is a classic domino game that's fun, easy to learn, and suitable for 2-6 players. To play, you'll need a set of classic dominoes. While the common double-nine sets are preferred, you can also use a standard double-six set if you have 2 or 3 players, or a double-twelve set for a longer game with more players.

Each player will require 7 dominoes, so for 2 to 4 players, a single set is enough. However, for 4 players and above, you'll need an extended set. Before beginning, place the dominoes face down and shuffle them. The remaining dominoes that aren't distributed to the players are put aside, forming what is known as the "boneyard" or "chicken yard."

The first domino, which is the highest double domino tile, is then placed in the center of the board. For example, if you're using a double-nine set, the double nine is the highest double. In the case of a double-six set, this would be the double-six tile. Each player then draws a tile from the boneyard, revealing it to the other players. The player with the largest value tile goes first, playing a domino with an end that matches the value of the center tile.

As the game progresses, players take turns playing matching dominoes, ensuring that the matching side touches the previous tile. When a double domino is played, it is placed sideways or crosswise against the matching tile to create a chicken foot formation. This formation consists of the double tile and three other tiles played diagonally, resembling a chicken's foot. Players must announce "chicken foot" or ""chickie" followed by the number on the domino, indicating that the special chicken foot rules are in play.

The goal is to have the lowest score by playing the most dominoes

Chicken Foot, also known as Chickie Dominoes, is a fun and easy-to-learn domino game. The goal is to try to play as many dominoes as possible and have the lowest score based on the dominoes remaining before your opponents can do the same. The game requires a set of classic dominoes, with common double-nine sets being preferred. For 2–4 players, a single set is enough, but for 4 players and above, an extended set is required.

Before beginning, the dominoes are placed face down and shuffled. Each player then draws seven dominoes to form their hand. The remaining dominoes are then put aside, forming what is known as the "boneyard" or "chicken yard". The first domino, which is the highest double domino tile, is then placed at the centre of the board. In the case of a double-six set, this will be the double-six tile. For each subsequent round, the centre tile is changed to be the next lowest double.

In the first round, every player draws a tile from the boneyard, revealing it to all other players. The player drawing the largest value goes first. Each player must play a domino with an end with the same value as the centre tile. Once all four sides of the double are filled, the player to the left of the last person to fill the double 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 dominoes, they must draw one domino from the boneyard and either play it if possible or pass. If the boneyard has been emptied, any player who cannot play simply passes. If no player can play or draw, the round ends.

Any time a player plays a matching double on an endpoint, the player calls "Chickie [number]" to indicate they have started a new "chicken foot". For example, if a player played a double 5, they would lay it long side against the end with the 5 and call "Chickie Fives". No other dominoes can be played until three more 5s are played against the other side of the double 5. The three dominoes played against the double 5 are played on the long side opposite the side originally played, with one domino laid perpendicular to one side of the double and the other two at 45 degrees to perpendicular, resembling a chicken foot.

Dominoes are placed face-down and shuffled before play

To play Chicken Foot, you'll need a set of classic dominoes. While the double-nine sets are preferred, other sets can also be used. The number of dominoes you'll need will depend on the number of players. For 2 to 4 players, one set of dominoes is enough. However, for 4 or more players, you'll need an extended set.

Before starting the game, the dominoes are placed face down and shuffled. This randomises the order of the dominoes, ensuring that the game is fair for all players. Each player then draws a certain number of dominoes to form their hand. The number of dominoes in each player's hand will depend on the total number of players and the set being used. For example, in a typical game with 2 to 4 players, each player will draw 7 dominoes from the shuffled deck to form their hand.

The remaining dominoes that are not drawn are set aside and form what is known as the "boneyard" or the "chicken yard." These terms refer to the extra dominoes that players can draw from during the game if they are unable to play a domino from their hand. The boneyard is an essential component of the game, as it allows players to strategise and make moves even if they don't have the required domino in their hand.

The first domino, which is typically the highest double domino tile, is then placed in the centre of the playing area. For example, if using a double-six set, the double-six tile would be placed in the centre. This centrepiece acts as the starting point for the game, with players taking turns to play dominoes that match the value of one of its ends.

The objective of Chicken Foot is to be the first player to get rid of all your dominoes or to have the lowest score based on the dominoes remaining before your opponents do. Throughout the game, players take turns to play dominoes from their hand that match the value of one end of the domino chain. If a player cannot make a match, they must draw from the boneyard and play that domino if possible. If they still cannot make a match, they must pass their turn.

The player with the highest tile goes first

To play Chicken Foot, all you need is a set of classic dominoes. While double-nine sets are preferred, other sets can be used. For instance, if you're using a double-twelve set, the highest double would be the double 12.

The game begins with the highest double being placed in the centre of the layout. In the first round, each player draws a single domino from the boneyard and reveals it to the other players. The player who draws the highest double tile goes first, playing a matching domino from their hand on one of the four sides of the double, with the matching end against the double.

If a player plays a double, it must be placed perpendicular to the domino played off of. The player then calls "Chickie" followed by the number played. For example, if a double 5 was played, the player would call "Chickie Fives". The next three plays must then be made off that double, creating a formation that looks like a chicken foot.

It is important to remember that the four sides around the initial domino must be completed before other moves are made. A key aspect of Chicken Foot strategy involves counting and visualising what tiles remain, particularly when you have access to doubles in your hand. This allows you to lock out moves from other players.

Frequently asked questions