Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-10-29
GAME OF "SNlFF."
Played with Dominos and Popular In
Social Circles.

Played with Dominos and Popular In
Social Circles.
"Snif" is a variation Of the old
fashioned game of dominos and is
played in much the same way. Two,
three or four persons may play the
game. If four are playing it is usual
for the couples sitting opposite each
other to be partners.
All of the domnos are placed on
the table, face down. Each player
turns one. The one turning the low
est number plays first. In case four
are playing the two lowest are part
ners, unless otherwise arranged.
If these are four players each draws
five dominos, and Sets them up so that
he or she only can see the numbers
on them. If three are playing each
draws six dominos, and if two they
draw seven each.
The first player "sets" whatever
domino he chooses from his hand. He
should select a double" if he has
one of a suit in which he is strong.
For instance, if he has the dOuble-two,
two-blank, two-five and twO-six, with
one other domino, he should "set" the
dOuble-two.
The first double" played, no matter
when it is played, becomes the "sniff,"
and is the most important domino in
the game, because it may be played
upon on all its four sides.
After the first player sets a domino
the player at his or her left must play
one domino that matches either end
of the domino played. If unable to
do so the player must draw from the
dominos which have not been drawn.
If then unable to play he or she must
drawn another If still unable to play
the next player at the left proceeds to
play or draw, as the case may be.
A count is made whenever the total
of the ends of the dOminos is five, or
some multiple of five. In this count
only those ends of the sniff" are
counted which have been played on,
except when but one side has
been played on, in which case the
sniff" counts its full value like any
other double.
There are three objects in the game.
First, to count as much as possible;
second, to "go out" first, that is, play
all your dominos; third, to prevent
your opponents from playing or count
ing.
The first person to Ego out" that is,
to exhaust all Of his or her dominos,
counts the total of all of the dominos
held by the others, except his or her
partner If the sum is not a multiple
of five, the count is the nearest multi
pie.
If the game is "blocked," so that no
one can play after all the dominos
are drawn, the player having the
smallest total on his dominos takes
the sum of all the others, or rather
the multiple of five nearest it.
Partners should aim to help each
other in their play.
A game is go points. The side or
person first reaching it wins. Part
ners' scores are, of course, added to-
gether.
Here are a few simple suggestions
which may help a beginner, though
they are not infallible.
Do not open new suits unless forced
to. 1t increases the chances Of your
opponent to play if you do.
Do not play on suits il which you
are strong, except to take a count, or
because you have to. If you are
strong in any suit it is probable your
adversary is weak on that suit.
Do not set the double-six unless you
have a strong hand, including the six
three. If you set the double-six and
the next player has the six-three he
scores fifteen which is a big count.
If the double six is on one end do not
play a four on the other unless forced
to, for it gives the next player an op-
portunity to play either the double
four and count twenty or four-three
and count fifteen. Both are big
counts.
The two-three is a good "set' Tor
first play if you have nothing better,
as it is impossible for the next player
to score on it.
Do not play on your own sniff I'M
til you are forced to, except to take a
count.
Keep track of the number of each
suit that has been played and is in
your hand. There are seven of each,
and it is obvious that the more that
have been played the less chance your
opponent has of having any to play.
Finally, do not play at random, but
use your brains. You'll find it simple
game to play badly, but game full
of opportunities for player who is
clever.-Philadelph Press.