Cuban Dominoes: Much More than a Game

Photo by Gerry Balding

Cuba and dominoes go hand in hand. It’s a favorite pastime of many Cubans. So what makes Cuban dominoes special? Dominoes was created in the early 13th century in China’s Song dynasty, later brought to the Americas by the Europeans, and is now considered a classic and universal game in Cuba, played by all generations, genders, and classes. Cuban dominoes rules distinguish it from other countries mainly because of the extensive slang used by players during gameplay — an essential feature of their idiosyncrasy. Cuban dominoes are a daily social event that combines competition with camaraderie. While walking through the streets, it’s common to hear the click-clack of dominoes and boisterous arguing or laughing.

introduction to Cuban dominoes rules

Cuban dominoes utilize a double-nine set of 55 domino tiles (except in Santiago de Cuba and other eastern provinces where they traditionally play with a double-six set of 28 domino tiles). The game involves two teams of two players and usually a bottle of Cuban rum. Yep, you heard right. Your teammate is the person sitting directly across the table from you. During a social gathering when there are many people wanting to play, a best-of-three structure is followed.

Only one line of dominoes is played, so there are only two points on which to play, and only one tile can be played each turn. Play continues until one player runs out of dominoes. If none of the players can make any more plays, the game ends but each player has to count the value of the remaining dominoes that they have and the player with the lowest total wins. This player’s team actually wins because their partner “rides along” with the victory of their partner. 

If players wish to play formally, then the first team to reach 150 points wins the game. In this case, the losing team counts the total of their remaining dominoes and the points are awarded to the winning team’s score.

Cuban dominoes strategy

So, how you play Cuban dominoes and actually have a chance at winning? Well, look no further and read on. The strategy behind Cuban dominoes involves “counting the table” in order to make accurate guesses as to which dominoes your opponent has and making plays that block or prevent (tranques) your opponents from making a play. Once the “block” is set, you want to maintain the block for as long as possible. As there are a finite number of tiles and numbers, it is strategic to play your strongest numbers and those that you have the most of. Once you start playing your strong numbers, you must repeat that play as much as possible in order to “bleed” your opponent of tiles with that number and thus, forcing them to pass.

As this is a team sport you must also play in a way that complements your partner’s hand and/or strategy. In general, the player who leads with the first tile sets the strategy for the game and their partner will follow. The domino you play initially gives clues to your partner. You should avoid playing tiles on the dominoes that your partner played unless you have no other choice.

Dominoes in Cuba is a game that requires acute awareness and the ability to communicate your strategy and tiles to your partner without saying a word. Cubans often talk throughout the game, boasting and making jokes in order to distract their opponent’s attention and to sometimes warn their partners using an encrypted phrase. A little cheating is only accepted (and expected) in friendly games. Cheating in professional games can land you in some serious trouble, especially if betting is involved.

If you really want to learn how to play the game like a local, then you need to learn some popular Cuban dominoes slang that will definitely impress those around you. The truth of the matter is it doesn't matter if you lose as long as you act confident and make enough noise — bravado and theatrics are the real winners on the street!

Common Cuban Dominoes slang and Phrases

El dominó lo inventó un mudo - “Dominoes was invented by a mute” 

Say this when someone is talking too much. In Cuba, it’s often very difficult to keep gameplay quiet and players will usually make a lot of noise...so good luck.

Me pegué - “I sealed the deal”

This is a way of saying that you played your last domino and you won the game. Woohoo!

Eso es tranque y a virarse - “The game is blocked and time to flip your dominoes” 

When nobody can make another play, everyone must count their dominoes to determine who has the lowest number and is the winner of the game.

Me quedo - “I’ll stay here”

When you make a neutral play, like playing a double.

Estás agachado - “You’re hooked”

When you know someone has a domino that can be played but is waiting for the right moment to surprise their opponents. 

Dar agua al domino - “To give water to the domino”

When the game ends, players have to mix and shuffle the domino set.

La capicúa - “The head and tail” (from Catalan)

When your last domino can be played on either end of the domino game. 

Bota gorda - “Throw fat”

The kind of player, usually a beginner, that always plays their highest-numbered dominoes first — their “fat” numbers. Their goal is to get rid of all the “fat” dominoes as soon as possible so as to increase their chances of winning if the game gets blocked and everyone must count their dominoes. Friendly tip: These folks aren't playing very strategically.

Pollona - “Big chicken”

When the leading team has 100 points while the losing team has zero after several rounds. Players have been known to draw a big chicken on the scorecard. 

Estoy gordo - “I’m heavy”

You say this when you have lots of high-number domino tiles or “fat” numbers.

Estoy en la playa - “I’m at the beach”

A player says this when they have lots of low-number dominoes.

Cogí letras en vez de números - “I got letters instead of numbers”

Players say they have “letters instead of numbers” as a light-hearted way of stating they need to pass because they don’t have any corresponding dominoes. Did we already mention that Cuban dominoes is a game of bravado? Players often obscure any weakness with a joke — hence all the domino slang!

Voy a ponerla fresca - “I’m going to make it fresh”

When you introduce a number that hasn’t been played yet.

Photo by Tom Fahy

speak like a cuban dominoes pro

If you want to take your Cuban dominoes slang to the next level, check out these nicknames that Cubans assigned for each number in the game. Most of these expressions are part of popular Cuban culture and each has a unique story behind it.

Number 0 - “Blanquizal de Jaruco”

The Stairs of Jaruco are located in the mountains just 25km from Havana. It’s a rustic, nearly hidden corner of Cuba and also, the location of the battle during Cuba’s second and final independence struggle, the War of 1895.

Number 1 - “Lunar de Lola” 

Lunar is a beauty mark in Spanish and Lunar de Lola is an expression from a Cuban troubadour song.

Number 2 - “Duque Hernández” 

Duque Hernandez is a well-known, right-handed baseball pitcher. 

Number 3 - “Trío matamoros”

The Trío Matamoros was a very popular Cuban Trova group during the 1920s and 30s that composed a number of classic Cuban songs.

Number 4 - “Cuarto de tula”

“El Cuarto de Tula” is one of the most popular songs of traditional Cuban music that was popularized internationally by the Buena Vista Social Club.

Number 5 - “Sin comer no se puede vivir” or “Monja”

People use the first expression because it starts with the same phonetic sound as the number five (cinco) in Spanish. 

“Monja” is the symbolic representation of the number five in the Cuban lottery. The game has been illegal in Cuba since the Cuban revolution but a form of the game is still played by many.

Number 6 - “Sixto Batista”

Sixto Batista (not to be confused with Fulgencio Batista!) was a Cuban military officer and politician that fought alongside Fidel Castro. His name is used by elderly players who lived during the times of the Cuban revolution. 

Number 7 - “La peste”

Meaning “the plague” or “the stench” — the number seven in Cuban culture is unlucky, especially in dominoes.

Number 8 - “Ochún” or  “Ochoa”

Another play on words that mimic the phonetic sound of the number eight in Spanish (ocho). Ochún is a prominent figure in Santería, also known as Regla de Ocha, an African-derived religion in Cuba.

Ochoa was a Cuban general executed for treason and drug smuggling in 1989.

Number 9 - “La gorda”

“La gorda” means that you got the largest number in the game.