Kingdomino: Strategy, Rules, and Winning Instructions Guide
Introduction
Kingdomino is a tile-based strategy game that has grown in popularity the last few years. Created by Bruno Cathala and published by Blue Orange Games, Kingdomino has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Spiel des Jahres in 2017. The game is a combo of dominoes and kingdom building, where players compete to create the most valuable kingdom. The game is easy to learn, and (imo) offers a depth of strategy that keeps players including me coming back for more.
All you need to play is the Kingdomino game set, which includes 48 dominoes, 8 wooden king tokens, 4 3D castles, and 4 starting tiles.
Quick Tip to Win at Kingdomino
An easy winning tip I’ve found is to Prioritize Tile Placement over Tile Selection: it’s important to choose tiles that fit well with your existing kingdom, but it’s even more crucial to focus on where you place them. Pay attention to the edges of your existing tiles and aim to create larger, contiguous areas of the same terrain type.
Rules for playing Kingdomino
The official rules for Kingdomino are straightforward. Each player starts with a single square castle tile and a king token. The goal of the game is to build a 5×5 grid around your castle by matching dominoes of the same terrain type. Each domino has two square ends, each depicting a type of terrain and possibly crowns. The crowns are important as they are used to score points. At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins.
While the official rules are simple, many players enjoy adding their own ‘house rules’ to add variety to the game. For example, some players might choose to play with a larger grid or add additional scoring rules.
How do you play Kingdomino
- Setup: Shuffle all the dominoes and place them in the box. Each player chooses a color and takes the matching castle and king token(s).
- Gameplay: The youngest player goes first. On your turn, you choose a domino from the lineup and place it in your kingdom, matching at least one of its ends to an existing tile. The domino must always be connected to the castle or another matching terrain tile.
- End of the Game: The game ends when all the dominoes have been drawn and the kingdoms are complete. Points are then counted based on the number of connecting tiles and crowns.
How to Win at Kingdomino
Winning at Kingdomino requires a balance of strategy and luck. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Plan Ahead: Always be thinking about your next move. Consider the dominoes that are available and how they can fit into your kingdom.
- Balance Your Kingdom: Try to balance the types of terrain in your kingdom. Having a variety of terrains can give you more options for placing dominoes.
- Maximize Your Points: Remember, points are scored by multiplying the number of connecting tiles of the same terrain by the number of crowns on those tiles. So, try to build large areas of the same terrain with as many crowns as possible.
Remember, the key to winning Kingdomino is not just about grabbing the highest value dominoes, but about creating a well-balanced kingdom that can score points in multiple ways.
Best Strategies for playing Kingdomino game
While there are many strategies for playing Kingdomino, here are some of the best:
- Control the Draft: The order in which players choose dominoes is determined by the dominoes they chose in the previous round. Choosing a lower value domino might mean you get to choose first in the next round.
- Block Your Opponents: If you see a domino that would be perfect for an opponent’s kingdom, consider taking it even if it doesn’t fit well in your own kingdom.
- Keep Your Options Open: Try not to box yourself in. Keep your kingdom flexible so you can adapt to the dominoes that come up.
Remember, the best strategy is the one that adapts to the current game situation. Always be ready to change your strategy if necessary.
Scenarios for Kingdomino
There are many different scenarios that can arise in a game of Kingdomino. Here are some common ones and how to handle them:
- Running Out of Space: If your kingdom is getting full and you’re running out of space, try to focus on filling in the gaps with the most valuable dominoes possible.
- Blocked by an Opponent: If an opponent takes a domino you wanted, don’t panic. Look for other opportunities to score points.
- Unfavorable Dominoes: If the available dominoes don’t fit well in your kingdom, consider taking a lower value domino to get a better position in the next draft.
Remember, every game of Kingdomino is different. The key is to stay flexible and adapt to the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions about playing Kingdomino game
Q: Can I move a domino once I’ve placed it? A: No, once a domino is placed, it cannot be moved.
Q: What happens if I can’t place a domino? A: If you can’t place a domino, it is discarded.
Q: Can I place a domino diagonally? A: No, dominoes must be placed orthogonally (side by side).
Q: How many players can play Kingdomino? A: Kingdomino can be played with 2-4 players.
Q: How long does a game of Kingdomino take? A: A game of Kingdomino typically takes 15-20 minutes.
External Links
For more information about Kingdomino, visit the official game website here.
A digital native around since the early days of online gaming communities around 2001. An early contributor to the cult gaming site ClanTemplates, Adam has spent years giving free gaming resources to the community. With BoardCards, Adam is most experienced and commonly writing the articles on Strategy multi-player games like Settlers of Catan and Avalon. His first introduction to board games was via Mancala, an Egyptian-origin stone game and one of the oldest known games still played worldwide. Contact me via email
