Fives and Threes Dominoes

Every Monday evening throughout the cold winter months, pub tables across Teesdale echo with the rhythmic tap of dominoes. The Barnard Castle and District 5s & 3s League is more than just a competition—it is a cornerstone of local pub culture and community connection.

Why We Play

For decades, the winter league has provided a vital social outlet, bringing hundreds of players together across generational lines. By representing local establishments, teams foster friendly pub-level rivalries while supporting community hubs like traditional country inns, working men's clubs, and sports pavilions.

Whether you are a seasoned local player or brand new to the area, joining a fives-and-threes team is one of the quickest ways to integrate into the Teesdale community. It is a game of quick arithmetic, strategic blocking, and friendly banter.

Fives & Threes belongs to the "Fives" family of domino games. Instead of simply matching numbers to empty your hand, players score points mid-round by making the open ends of the domino train add up to multiples of five and/or three.

Gameplay Basics

• Setup: Play is traditionally conducted in pairs (4 players, partners sitting opposite). Each player is dealt 6 dominoes (leaving 4 facedown in the "boneyard").
• The Domino Line: Dominoes are matched end-to-end. Doubles are placed crosswise. Points are scored on the ends of the layout.
• Knocking: If you cannot make a play matching either end, you must announce "Knock" and pass your turn.

Scoring Guide

Points are kept on a traditional cribbage board. The goal is to score exactly 61 points (twice up and down the board).

You score when the sum of the exposed ends of the domino layout is divisible by 5 and/or 3. For each multiple, you receive 1 point. If the sum is divisible by both (such as 15), you get points for both!

Winning the Game

To win, a team must score exactly 61 points. If your team is at 59 and scores 3 points, those points are declared invalid (you cannot "bust"). Winning points cannot be scored on your final domino play; the match must be won mid-round or on an opponent's turn.