How to Play Dominoes with West Indians

Summer is coming to an interesting conclusion. We have faced Covid-19, monkeypox, inflation, criminal actions of elected officials and weird weather patterns. People have needed an escape from the insanity of day-to-day life, and have found it in many different ways. Some of us have returned to the gym; some have become even more deeply invested in their computers (laptops, desktops, cellphones, etc.) Some people have quit jobs; others refuse to return to the office to do things that they have proven could be done at home. And there are others who just want to make a connection with people again…or at all.

In my family, the most instant connection you can make with someone else was through food, drink, laughter, jokes…and dominoes.

Yes, I said dominoes. There are many of you out there whose understanding of West Indian culture begins with Bob Marley and reggae and ends with Rihanna and her latest baby. You may not be aware of the importance of dominoes in our setting.

I have decided, once again, to make the difficult easy; the rough roads smooth. Please read and learn:

1) You will be playing on foldable chairs with a foldable table that has been covered with a large sheet of cardboard, duct tape and perhaps other material that can take the blows. The strength of your blows upon the surface will be in indirect proportion to the strength of that table. It is truly amazing how well these tables withstand the slams and boasts of the domino games. Please make sure to respect this tradition…especially if you have a good hand.

2) A note about that slamming of the table: please make sure that any pounding of tiles on the table is necessary. This will be clear if you note that the other players have passed and everyone is waiting for you to make a play. It may be a good play or a bad one; please accept the tradition of stirring up the dominoes and move on.

3) A note on how we play: you will have a partner. Please keep this in mind. The person facing you will expect you to respond to what they put on the table. Even if it does not suit your own purposes, you have to give them what they need.

4) Another note: you will only be playing in one direction. It will be a straight line, not a cross. It will be rearranged by the slamming of hands and boasting; you may refer to it as the yellow-brick road…or the trail of tears (this will depend on how well you play). There are 28 pieces – 7 per player – and you will be responsible for all of them as the game progresses and the emotions come out.

5) You will be asked why you did not play “the key” for your partner when you lose a game; you will not understand what they are talking about. Your partner will show you a domino in their hand that they wanted to play which you had prevented from being played. You will be even more confused than before (make sure to nod your head in agreement and promise to not do it again).

6) You will make the same mistakes again. Do not worry about being shouted at; it is only a dangerous situation when someone leaves the table, especially if it is a partner (and never interfere in a fight between the players on the other team).

7) The games end when one team leaves 100 points in the hands of the opposing team. When you have completely blanked out – meaning that you have played all of your dominoes to the point where the other team is left with too many in their hands – it is called “a love”. Just as in tennis and life, love means nothing…and we all want it.

8) If you do win the match, you will stay with your partner and another team will be ready to go. You will not have to wait for a willing set of players to appear (they have been waiting for you to finish the game). If you lose the match, have a drink, eat something, avoid eye contact with everyone but your partner…and then wait for another game.

9) It is meant to be fun. Please remember this as partners take all of your mistakes personally.

10) You will get better at the game as you play, even if you are not sure why. It simply happens due to exposure. You may even enjoy seeing your team win and destroy all comers.

11) Don't make it a habit.

Thank you for reading!

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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