Chickenfoot Dominoes is a lively and engaging game that brings family and friends together for hours of fun. With its unique twist on traditional dominoes, it’s easy to learn yet full of strategic depth. Whether you’re gathering for game night, a holiday, or just some casual play, Chickenfoot keeps everyone involved and entertained. The excitement of blocking opponents and building chains makes every round unpredictable and thrilling. Simple, social, and endlessly replayable this classic game is a must-have for any domino lover.
1. Objective
The objective of the game is to get rid of all of your dominoes before your opponents can do the same.
Every player has to count up their score by summing up all the dominos that they didn’t put in the middle.
Players have to add one matching domino from their pile one by one. The round ends when no one can make the next move anymore.
Chickenfoot is a domino game for 2 to 8 players. The game typically is played with Double-9 dominoes.
In other words there are up to 9 spots, or pips, on the ends of each domino, but you can also try other variations! For example, from Double-6 to Double-15.
2. Game Setup
Each round starts with the highest double domino, according to your set of dominoes.
Depending on the number of players the number of dominoes in the personal set of every player will be different.
The remaining dominos are splitted to the remaining piles and pushed aside the game zone, it is called a “chicken yard”.
To start the game, set the chosen double-domino in the middle of the wooden hub which has 8 sides.
3. Gameplay
Casually, the player with the highest double domino starts the game by placing it in the center of the table. If no one has the highest double, players draw additional tiles until someone has it.
Every round starts the same - from the wooden hub in the middle which needs to be completed.
Players take turns in clockwise order. Each domino placed must match the number of pips in the middle of the hub.
It is important to close all opened ends of the hub and only after you can continue the chain from any spot.
Players have to continue a chain of tiles by adding matching dominoes to it.
In case player doesn’t have the matching domino in their pile, they have to draw it from the “chicken yard” .
If the domino that player picked doesn’t match, the player keeps it in his holder and the next player takes a turn.
When a player plays a double domino, it becomes the "Chickenfoot".
You can continue to play only after closing the previously placed double domino with three matching tiles.
You can`t make any further move on other spot, but “Chickenfoot”.
The game ends when one player empties their hand, or when no more legal moves can be made.
To count up the score, you have to count points equal to the total number of pips on both ends of the domino.
In case you have a double-blank domino remaining in your set, you have to add 50 points to your score at the end.
The player with the lowest total score for all rounds wins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
a. How do you start a game of Chickenfoot?
The game begins with the highest double domino in play (e.g., double 12 in a double-twelve set). The first player must place this double in the center, and all players must then play matching tiles on it to form a "chickenfoot" before moving on.
b. What happens if you can’t play on a chickenfoot?
If you can’t play a matching tile on a chickenfoot, you must draw from the boneyard. If no tiles are left or you still can’t play, you must pass your turn.
c. Can you play on any train, or just your own?
Unlike Mexican Train, there are no personal trains in Chickenfoot. Players must build off open branches from the center or existing chickenfeet.
d. What is a chickenfoot?
A chickenfoot forms when a double is played. The next three tiles must be played on the double’s three open sides before any other move can be made.
e. Can you end your turn with a double?
Yes, but if you do, other players must complete the chickenfoot before normal play resumes.
f. What happens when the boneyard is empty?
If the boneyard is empty and you can’t play, you must pass your turn. The game continues until a player plays all their tiles or no one can make a move.
g. How do you win in Chickenfoot?
The game ends when a player plays all their tiles or no one can move. The player with the lowest total points (based on tile pips) wins.
h. Do you have to call out when you have one tile left?
No official rule requires it, but some players use a tap or verbal cue to keep things competitive.
i. What happens if two players have the same score at the end?
If there’s a tie, the player who went out first (or played the last tile first) wins.
