BONES

Lombardy House Rules

 1. Setup

  • Each player draws 7 bones.

  • If there are fewer than 4 players, place all remaining bones into the boneyard.

2. Determining the First Play

  • The player holding the highest double goes first.

  • The first bone played must be a double.

  • If no player has a double, a renege occurs and the hand restarts.

  • If a player holds the highest double and fails to play it, any other player may call renege.

    • The hand restarts.

    • The offending player loses 15 points.

3. Spinner Rules

  • The first double played becomes the spinner.

  • When the spinner is first played, only the two original ends (the ends created by placing the spinner) are playable.

  • Players must play on both original ends of the spinner before anyone may play on the spinner ends.

  • Once both original ends have been played on, the spinner opens fully and players may play on either spinner end.

  • The spinner is the only bone that functions as a spinner for the entire hand.

4. Turn Play

  • On a player’s turn, they must play a legal bone if possible.

  • If a player cannot play:

    • They draw one bone from the boneyard.

    • If they still cannot play, they must pass by clearly calling “pass” or knocking the table twice.

  • There is no penalty for drawing or passing, even if the player could have played.

5. Scoring During Play

  • Players only score when the open ends total a multiple of 5.

  • A player must call their score immediately after their play.

  • If a player does not call their score before the next play, they receive no points for that turn.

  • If a player calls an incorrect score, they automatically lose 10 points.

    • Players may only call exact scores.

6. Going Out (Normal End of Hand)

  • The player who goes out first receives points equal to the sum of all opponents’ remaining pips, calculated as follows:

    • Each remaining player counts their pips.

    • Each player rounds down to the nearest multiple of five.

    • Add all rounded values together.

7. Blocked Game (No One Can Play)

  • If no player can play and no one goes out, the hand ends.

  • The player with the lowest number of pips wins the hand.

  • Each other player:

    • Rounds their pip total down to the nearest multiple of five.

  • The winner:

    • Receives the total of those rounded values.

    • Then subtracts their own pip count, also rounded down to the nearest multiple of five.

8. Ties in a Blocked Game

  • If two or more players tie for the lowest pip count:

    • Divide the remaining rounded total evenly among the tied players.

    • Each tied player subtracts their own rounded pip total.

Definitions

  • Bone: A single domino tile.

  • Pip: A single dot on a bone. The total pips on a bone equal the sum of its two ends.

  • Boneyard: The pile of unused bones from which players draw when they cannot play.

  • Hand: One complete round of play, from the initial draw through a player going out or the game becoming blocked.

  • Game: A series of hands played until the final hand is completed after a player reaches 300 points.

  • Spinner: The first double played in a hand. It may eventually be played on all four ends, subject to spinner rules.

  • Renege: A violation of a mandatory play rule that causes the hand to restart and may result in a penalty.

Potential Conflicts or Clarifications Needed

  1. Starting Double and Renege Enforcement

    • If the required starting double is called (e.g., double six) and no one plays it, the next highest double is called.

    • At any time, if a player plays a double higher than the spinner, a renege has occurred.

    • A renege only takes effect if another player calls it.

    • Upon a valid renege call:

      • The hand restarts.

      • Any applicable penalties are applied.

  2. Passing While Able to Play

    • Players may draw or pass even if they have a legal play.

    • This rule is intentional and part of current house strategy.

    • The group may revise this rule in the future.

  3. Spinner End Play Clarification

    • When the spinner is played, it creates four potential ends.

    • Only the two original ends may be played at first.

    • Once both original ends have been played on, the two spinner ends become available for play.

  4. Blocked Game Scoring Example and Floor

    • Blocked-game scoring has been play-tested and works as written.

    • A player’s score may not drop below zero as a result of end-of-hand scoring.

Example:

    • Player A: 12 pips → rounds to 10

    • Player B: 9 pips → rounds to 5

    • Player C: 22 pips → rounds to 20

    • Player D: 8 pips → rounds to 5 (lowest, wins hand)

    • Total collected: 10 + 5 + 20 = 35

    • Player D subtracts their own rounded pips: 5

    • Player D scores 30 points