Bendomino plays like regular dominoes but uses curved pieces with a 120-degree bend. This innovative design means that not only must the numbers match, but the piece must physically fit into the growing chain. Players take turns matching Bendominoes by number to either end of the chain, drawing from the stock when unable to play. The first player to reach 100 points across multiple rounds wins.
Components
28 Bendominoes (curved double-6 domino set)
Setup
Place all 28 Bendominoes face down and mix them.
Each player draws pieces based on player count:
2 players: 7 Bendominoes each
3 players: 6 Bendominoes each
4 players: 5 Bendominoes each
Stand Bendominoes on their edges facing you so other players cannot see the dots.
Remaining pieces form the stock.
Turn Structure
The player with the highest double starts by placing it in the center of the table.
If no double was drawn, the player with the highest Bendomino number starts (e.g., 6/5).
Play proceeds clockwise. Each player tries to match a Bendomino by number to either end of the chain.
Actions
Playing a Piece
Place a Bendomino so one of its numbers matches the number at one end of the chain.
The piece must also physically fit – in open positions it can be played either way, but in closed positions the curve direction must be correct.
Each Bendomino must connect evenly with other pieces.
Drawing
If you cannot play a piece, draw one piece from the stock.
If the drawn piece can be played, you may immediately play it.
Optional: Players may choose to draw a Bendomino and pass their turn even if they have playable pieces.
Blocked Positions
Either end of the chain can be blocked when:
A) No matching numbers are available
B) No matching pieces can physically fit
C) One end is trapped in a dead end
D) Both ends connect (rare)
If both ends are blocked, each player draws one Bendomino until the stock is empty.
Scoring / Victory Conditions
End of a Round
A round ends when:
A player has no Bendominoes left to play, OR
The stock is empty and no player can play any pieces.
Winning a Round
You win a round when:
You play all your pieces, OR
No pieces can be played by any player and you have the lowest point total (sum of dots on remaining Bendominoes).
Scoring
The round winner scores the total dot points from all opponents’ remaining Bendominoes.
Winning the Game
The first player to score 100 points wins the game.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
Variations
Variant
Rule Change
Wild Draw
When you cannot play, you must keep drawing until you get a playable piece or the stock is empty
No Draw
When you cannot play, you pass your turn instead of drawing
No Draw - 2 Teams
Each player draws 7 pieces (no stock). Partners’ scores combine. A team wins a round when one member wins
All Five Variant
Object: Make all 4 ends of the chain add up to multiples of 5.
Setup: 2 pieces randomly placed back-to-back from the stock create 4 open ends.
Scoring: If the total of all 4 ends is a multiple of 5, the player scores that total.
Round winner adds opponents’ remaining dot totals to their score.