Overview

Chromino is a color-matching tile-laying game similar to dominoes but using three-colored segments. Players place tiles adjacent to those already on the table, matching at least two colors at contact points. Five special “Chameleon” tiles have a wild center square. The first player to place all their tiles wins.

Components

• 75 Chromino tiles (all unique, using combinations of 5 colors)
• 5 Chameleon Chromino tiles (2 colored squares + 1 wild center square marked with a special symbol)
• 1 cloth bag for drawing tiles
• Game instructions with Conundrum puzzle on reverse

Each Chromino tile is a rectangular piece divided into 3 colored squares in a row. The 5 colors are used in all 75 possible combinations.

Setup

1. Find one Chameleon Chromino tile and place it color-side-up in the center of the table as the starting tile.
2. Place all remaining tiles in the bag.
3. Each player draws 8 tiles at random from the bag and places them face-up in front of themselves, hidden from other players.

Turn Structure

The youngest player goes first (or determine randomly). Play proceeds clockwise.

On your turn, one of two things happens:

1. You can place a tile: Play one Chromino from your hand onto the table following the placement rules. Your turn ends.

2. You cannot place a tile: Draw one tile from the bag.

   • If the drawn tile can be placed, you must play it immediately. Your turn ends.
   • If the drawn tile cannot be placed, keep it in your hand and pass your turn.

Actions

Placing a Chromino

A Chromino must be placed adjacent to one or more tiles already on the table with at least two contacts between identically colored squares. Contacts are side-by-side adjacencies between squares of the same color.

As the game progresses and the layout expands, it becomes possible to make 3, 4, 5, or even 6 color contacts with a single tile placement.

Chameleon Chrominos

The center square of a Chameleon Chromino (marked with a special symbol) acts as a wild – it can be placed in contact with any color. This means the center can match one color on one side and a different color on the other.

Last Tile Warning

When a player has only 1 Chromino remaining, they must place it color-side-up and visible to all players.

Last Tile Restriction

A player cannot play a Chameleon Chromino as their last tile. If the only tile remaining in your hand is a Chameleon, you must draw a new tile from the bag.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to place their last Chromino tile wins the game.

Tie rule: After a player places their last tile, all other players continue playing until the end of the current turn (i.e., until play returns to the player who went out). Any other players who also place their last tile during this final turn are declared joint winners.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• If the bag runs out of tiles and a player cannot place any tile from their hand, they simply pass.
• The minimum placement requirement is always 2 matching color contacts.
• Tiles cannot be rotated or flipped once placed.

Alternative Versions (agreed upon before the game begins)

Drawing variants:

1. Standard: draw 1 tile; play if possible, otherwise keep and pass.
2. Draw until playable: continue drawing tiles until you draw one that can be placed (no limit).
3. Limited draws: draw up to 3, 4, or 5 tiles; stop when one is playable or the limit is reached.

Hand visibility variants:

1. Hidden hand (standard): tiles are hidden from other players.
2. Open hand: tiles are placed face-up, visible to all (recommended for large groups).

Junior Play: For young children, simplify by playing like regular dominoes with only a single color contact required between tile ends.

Player Reference

Turn summary:

1. Play a tile (minimum 2 matching color contacts) OR
2. Draw 1 tile from bag; play it if possible, otherwise keep and pass

Key rules:

• 2+ color contacts required per placement
• Chameleon center = wild color
• Cannot play a Chameleon as your last tile
• Last tile must be revealed face-up
• Joint winners possible if multiple players go out in the same turn