Domino Set: A familiar game, ready for another round

Choose their game before the box

A domino set can suit someone who enjoys a familiar game at home or wants a compact set to take to friends. Here the gift is a set of marked playing tiles, rather than unmarked blocks for building a toppling display.

Ask which domino games they play. Double-six, double-nine and double-twelve describe the highest number of pips on a tile half, not the number of tiles supplied. A complete double-six set has 28 tiles; double-nine has 55 and double-twelve has 91. Larger ranges support different games and can mean more pieces to handle and store.

Make the tiles comfortable to use

Compare the actual tile dimensions, thickness and weight. Tiny travel pieces save space but can be harder to read or hold. Black pips on pale tiles are familiar; colored dots may help some players, but color should not be the only way to distinguish values.

• Look for clearly formed pips and an easy-to-see dividing line.

• Check whether tiles stand on their edges or need racks.

• Compare the closed case with where they'll store or carry it.

A fitted box protects the collection from becoming a handful of loose tiles in a drawer. It doesn't establish that the pieces are well finished, so read the material and construction details too.

Check the extras for their rules

Some games use a hub, markers or racks; others need only tiles, instructions and a way to keep score. A Mexican Train label doesn't mean every set includes the same accessories. Confirm the contents and the intended rules, rather than buying a tile count alone.

Follow the exact product's age guidance and keep small pieces away from children for whom they're unsuitable. If the recipient wants a different traditional two-player game, a chess set makes another considered choice. For a quicker social activity with prompts rather than pips, see party card games.