This game is played by two or four persons, with twenty-eight pieces of oblong ivory, plain at the back, but on the face divided by a black line in the middle, and indented with spots, from one to a double-six, which pieces are a double blank, ace-blank, double ace, deuce blank, deuce-ace, double-deuce, trois-blank, trois-ace, trois-deuce, double-trois, four-blank four-ace, four deuce, fbur-trois, double-four, five-blank, five-ace, five-deuce, five-trois, five-four, double-five, si* blank, six-ace, six-deuce, six-trois, six-four, six five, and double-six. Some times a double set is played with, of which double-twelve is the highest.

At the commencement of the game, the dominoes are well mixed together, with their faces upon the table. Each person draws one, and if four play, those who choose the two highest are partners, against those who take the two lowest; drawing the latter also serves to determine who is to lay down the first piece, which is reckoned a great advantage. Afterwards each player takes seven pieces at random. The eldest hand having laid down one, the next must pair him at either end of the piece he may choose, according to the number of pips, or the blank in the compartment of the piece; but whenever any one cannot match the part, either of the domino last put down, or of that unpaired at the other end of the row, then he says g0; and the next is at liberty to play. Thus they play alternately, either until one party has played all his pieces, and thereby won the game, or till the game be blocked; that is, when neither party can play, by matching the pieces where unpaired at either end; then that party wins who has the smallest number of pips on the pieces remaining in their possession. It is to the advantage of every player to dispossess himself as early as possible of the heavy pieces, such as a double-six, five, four, etc.

Sometimes, when two persons play, they take each only seven pieces, and agree to play or draw, i. e., when one cannot come in, or pair the pieces upon the board at the end unmatched, he then is to draw from the fourteen pieces in stock till he find one to suit.

This game requires strict attention, and nothing but practico will make a skilful player.