Arthur Morgan is a man of many talents, but for most players, sitting down at a wooden table in Saint Denis or Camp feels like a death sentence for their patience. It’s frustrating. You’re trying to achieve 100% completion, or maybe you're just trying to get through the Gambler 5 challenge, and suddenly you’re staring at a bunch of white dots wondering why the NPC just took a thirty-point lead. Understanding how to play dominoes rdr2 isn't actually about math. It’s about reading the board and realizing that the AI isn't nearly as smart as it looks.
People overcomplicate it. They think they need to be a professional strategist. Really, you just need to know which version of the game you’re sitting into, because a game in Blackwater is nothing like a game at Emerald Station.
The Different Rulesets You’ll Encounter
Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't just have one version of dominoes. That’s the first trap. If you walk into it thinking every game is about matching numbers, you’re going to lose your shirt in the higher-stakes areas.
Draw Dominoes is the "classic" style most people think of. You find this at Emerald Station or your gang camp. It’s the simplest version. You match a number on your tile to an open end on the board. If you can’t move, you draw from the boneyard until you can. The goal is to empty your hand. When someone goes out, they get points based on the total number of pips left in the opponents' hands. Honestly, if you’re doing the Gambler challenges, this is usually the safest place to be. It’s predictable.
Then there is All Threes and All Fives. You’ll find these in places like Saint Denis or Blackwater. These are "scoring" games. In All Fives, if the ends of the dominoes on the board add up to a multiple of five after you make your move, you get those points immediately. All Threes works the same way but with multiples of three. You aren't just trying to get rid of tiles; you're trying to manipulate the board's total value. It’s way more aggressive.
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Matching the Ends and Blocking the AI
The core mechanic is simple: matching. If there is a 6 on the end of the line, you have to play a tile with a 6 on it. But here is the thing about how to play dominoes rdr2 that the game doesn't explicitly tell you—control the "open" numbers.
If you notice the NPC keeps playing 4s, it’s because they have a hand full of them. If you can play a tile that changes that 4 to a 2, and you know you have plenty of 2s, you’ve effectively cornered them. You want to keep options open for yourself while narrowing them for your opponent.
Don't just play your highest tile first. That’s a beginner move. Save your "doubles" (like the 6-6 or 5-5) for when you really need to change the flow or if you’re playing a scoring game where they can buff the total quickly. Doubles are played vertically, but in RDR2’s logic, they still only count as one side of the line unless it’s the "spinner" (the very first double played), which can branch out into four directions.
The Art of the Boneyard
Getting stuck sucks. Having to draw from the boneyard feels like losing. But sometimes, it’s a tactical advantage. If you draw a tile that fills a gap in your "number set," you might end up with a hand that can block the NPC for the rest of the round.
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Watch the NPC’s behavior. If they draw from the boneyard, they don't have the numbers currently on the board. Remember those numbers. If the ends are a 3 and a 5, and the NPC draws, they are out of 3s and 5s. Your entire goal for the rest of that round should be to keep the board ends as 3 and 5. You can literally force them to pick up the entire boneyard while you slowly chip away at your hand. It’s mean. It’s effective. It’s how you win.
Winning the Gambler Challenges
We have to talk about the Gambler challenges because let's be real, that's why most people are looking up how to play dominoes rdr2. Specifically, Gambler 9: Win three games of dominoes in a row. This is the stuff of nightmares.
Here is the "pro" tip that saved my sanity: You can leave the table. If you are in the middle of a game and you realize you are definitely going to lose, stand up. Just walk away. As long as it’s your turn and you haven't technically "lost" the match yet, your win streak stays intact. You can sit back down or even travel to a different town to try a simpler version of the game. Emerald Station is widely considered the best spot for this because Draw Dominoes is less volatile than the scoring games in the cities.
Strategic Tips for Success
- Prioritize high-value tiles: In Draw or Block games, get rid of your 6-6, 6-5, and 5-5 early. If the round ends and you're holding those, your opponent gets a massive point boost.
- Count the tiles: There are only seven of each number in a standard set. If you see five 6s on the board and you’re holding the other two, you own the 6s. You can effectively shut down the game.
- All Fives Strategy: Always look for ways to make the ends add up to 5, 10, 15, or 20. If you can play a 5-5 on a board where the other end is a 5, that’s 15 points (5+5+5).
- The Saint Denis Trap: The game in Saint Denis is All Fives. It’s fast. If you aren't paying attention, the AI will rack up 100 points before you've even settled into your chair. If you're new, stay in the heartlands.
Why Location Matters
The vibe of the game changes depending on where Arthur is. Playing at the camp with Hosea or Abigail is chill. The stakes are low, the dialogue is great, and the AI is generally more forgiving. It’s the best place to practice the fundamentals without losing money or progress on a challenge.
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Once you move to the world, the AI gets "sharper." It’s not that they cheat—though it feels like it when they pull the perfect tile—it’s just that they prioritize scoring over simply matching. In Blackwater, you're playing All Threes. It’s a mathematical headache. You have to constantly calculate if your move is handing the opponent a multiple of three on their next turn. If you play a tile that makes the ends total 7, you're safe from a 3-point score, but you might be setting them up for a 9.
Final Tactics for Mastery
To truly master how to play dominoes rdr2, you have to stop playing your hand and start playing the board. Look at the "pips" (the dots). If the board is messy, take a second to use the "View Board" camera angle. It gives you a top-down perspective that makes it much easier to see which numbers are actually open.
If you’re playing All Fives or All Threes, always do the math before you commit. The game shows you the potential score in the bottom corner before you place the tile. Use that. Don't rush. Arthur can sit there all day. The NPC might complain, but they won't leave.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Head to Emerald Station: It’s the most consistent place to learn because it uses the Draw ruleset.
- Practice "Blocking": Instead of trying to win, try to make the NPC draw from the boneyard by tracking which numbers they don't have.
- Save Gambler 9 for a rainy day: Use the "Stand Up" trick if your streak is at risk.
- Watch the ends: Always know the sum of the two (or four) ends of the domino chain.
Dominoes in RDR2 is a game of attrition. You aren't going to win every round, but if you manage your high-value tiles and control the board ends, you'll win the match. Just keep your cool, keep an eye on those 6s, and remember that sometimes the best move is to walk away and come back when the luck has shifted.