Doubles in Scoring
📋 What it is
When a double sits at an open end, it counts its FULL pips (both halves) toward the open-end total.
🗣️ Coach says
Doubles change the math. A normal 5-tile end contributes 5, but an OPEN double 5|5 contributes the whole 10 — both halves count. That can push a total over a multiple of 5 in your favour or ruin it. Always ask: "is a double showing at an open end?" before you add.
🧠 Memory hook
Open double = count BOTH halves. A 4|4 open end is worth 8, not 4.
😂 Giggle
What's a domino's life goal?
To shed all its tiles and be first to go out!
😲 Whoa!
A single well-placed double can swing the open-end total by up to 12 (a 6|6), completely changing who scores.
✅ Quick check: Open ends are a 6|6 double and a plain 3. What is the open-end total?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
15 (6+6 from the double, plus 3).
An open double counts both of its halves, so 6|6 = 12, then +3 = 15.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Build a layout with one open double and add the ends, counting the double as both halves. Then check for a multiple of 5.