Chickenfoot dominoes: rules and score keeper

How many tiles to draw

Pagat's table, which it credits to the domino maker Puremco. A dash means the set is the wrong size for that many players. A double-nine set has 55 tiles, double-12 has 91, double-15 has 136 and double-18 has 190.

Players across the top. Pagat adds that some start with fewer (four players with double nine at 10 each, three at 11, two at 12), and that two or three players can use a double-six set with 5 tiles each. Wikipedia's article has everyone draw seven.

How to play Chickenfoot

Setting up a round

Turn the tiles face down and shuffle. Each player draws a hand (see the table above); the rest form the boneyard, which Pagat says is called the chicken yard in this game. In the first round the highest double (the [9-9] in a double-nine set) starts the game, played by whoever holds it. If nobody holds it, everyone draws one more tile until it turns up. Each later round starts with the next double down.

The first four

The starting double needs four tiles against it, one on each side, before any arm can be extended. If you cannot add one, draw a tile; play it if it fits, otherwise your turn passes.

Chicken feet

After that, play a tile that matches any open end. When you play a double, place it crosswise and call "chicken foot" (or "chickie"). The next three tiles must be played on the far side of that double, fanned out like toes. Nobody may play anywhere else until all three toes are down, so a double played late in a round can force several players to draw.

Ending a round and scoring

The round ends when someone plays their last tile, or when the boneyard is empty and nobody can play. Everyone else adds up the pips in their hand. The double blank counts 50. Keep a running total; after the round that starts with the double blank, the lowest total wins.

Where sources differ

• Tiles to draw. Pagat gives Puremco's table and mentions smaller hands; Wikipedia says seven each.
• The opening double's arms. Pagat and Wikipedia both fill all four sides first. Wikipedia notes some players fill only three, in a Y shape.
• Who starts. Wikipedia has everyone draw a tile in round 1, highest starts. Pagat has the holder of the starting double lead it. Some put the double face up before dealing and rotate who goes first.
• The double blank. 50 in Pagat's main rules, 25 in one variation. Wikipedia also charges 50 to a player who goes out on a double (citing Kelley); we offer that as a house rule.
• Game length. One round per double, ending with the double blank (Pagat and Wikipedia). Pagat's scoring section also describes playing until one player reaches an agreed total.
• Double chicken foot. Pagat lists a variation where the first double gets three tiles on each side.
• Last tile. Pagat lists a "chicken little" rule: you must announce your last tile, and if someone catches you forgetting, you draw a tile.

Tips for Chickenfoot

1. Dump the double blank. It is 50 points in your hand. Play it the moment a blank end appears.
2. Hold a double for the end. When an opponent is down to one tile, playing a double forces the table to fill three toes, and anyone without the number draws.
3. Keep spare tiles in the doubles still to come. Pagat's advice: watch which doubles have not been played and keep a tile of those numbers so a new foot does not leave you drawing.
4. Count heavy tiles. Two [9-x] tiles stuck at the end of a round can cost more than a whole round of small tiles.

Chickenfoot questions

How do you play Chickenfoot dominoes?

Start each round with a double in the middle; four tiles must be played against it before anything else. From then on, match open ends as usual. Whenever someone plays a double, three tiles must be played on its far side (the chicken foot) before play can continue anywhere else. If you cannot play, draw one tile. First to play all their tiles ends the round; everyone else scores the pips left in their hand, and low wins.

How many dominoes do you draw in Chickenfoot?

Pagat gives a table from the domino maker Puremco: with a double-nine set, 20 each for 2 players, 14 for 3, 11 for 4, 9 for 5 and 7 for 6. Others start with fewer, such as 10 each for four players. The Wikipedia article says seven each. The table on this page covers double-12, 15 and 18 sets too.

How much is the double blank worth in Chickenfoot?

50 points if it is left in your hand at the end of a round (Pagat; one variation counts 25). Get rid of it early.

How many rounds are in Chickenfoot?

One for each double in the set, starting with the highest and ending with the double blank: 10 rounds with a double-nine set, 13 with a double-12. Pagat also describes playing until one player passes an agreed total.

What happens if nobody can fill a chicken foot?

Players who cannot play draw one tile and play it if they can. If the boneyard is empty and nobody can play, the round is blocked and ends, and everyone counts their tiles.