How to Play Domineering
Domineering, invented by Göran Andersson and popularised by Martin Gardner, is one of the cleanest games in combinatorial game theory: no luck, no captures, just the race for space.
The rules
- The board is an empty 8×8 grid.
- Vertical places dominoes covering two squares one above the other; Horizontal places them covering two squares side by side. Vertical moves first.
- Players alternate placing one domino on two empty squares.
- The first player who cannot place a domino on their turn loses.
Playing on kawu
Tap the top square (Vertical) or the left square (Horizontal) of the pair you want to cover; the possible starts are marked. The line under the board counts the placements each side has left. Hint shows the hard computer's move. Play either orientation against three levels, or two players on one device.
Next: Domineering strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the advantage in Domineering?
On an 8×8 board the first player (Vertical) wins with perfect play, but the margin is tiny and human play is far from perfect. Both sides are offered on kawu; try Horizontal against the computer for the harder game.
Can a domino overlap or hang off the board?
No. Both squares must be empty and on the board.
Last updated 2026-10-21