Mixed Domino Sets: How to Inventory & Restore Two Standard Double-Six Sets

Standard Double-Six Set Composition

One complete set = 28 tiles covering all combinations 0–0 through 6–6.

• 7 Doubles: 0-0, 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6
• 21 Singles: 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 3-4, 3-5, 3-6, 4-5, 4-6, 5-6

Two complete sets = 56 tiles (2× each combination).

Step-by-Step Inventory Process

1. Separate doubles: Pull all 7 doubles. Count each. You should have 2 of each double (two 0-0, two 1-1... two 6-6).
2. Sort singles by low number: Group all tiles starting with 0 (0-1 through 0-6), then 1 (1-2 through 1-6), etc.
3. Count each combination: For each pair (e.g., 2-5), you should have 2 tiles. Note: 2-5 and 5-2 are the same tile — dominoes are unordered.
4. Mark surplus/deficit: Create a 7×7 grid (0–6 rows/cols). Tick each tile found. Doubles on diagonal.

Quick Verification Grid

 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
0 [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] ← 0-0, 0-1...0-6 (2 each)
1     [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] ← 1-1, 1-2...1-6
2         [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] ← 2-2...2-6
3             [2] [2] [2] [2] ← 3-3...3-6
4                 [2] [2] [2] ← 4-4...4-6
5                     [2] [2] ← 5-5, 5-6
6                         [2] ← 6-6
Total: 56 tiles

Common Non-Standard Sets (Check If Yours Differ)

If you have tiles with 7, 8, 9+ pips → you have a larger set mixed in.

Restoring Two Playable Sets

1. After inventory, you'll have piles: Complete pairs (2 each), Singles (1 each), Missing (0).
2. For each combination with 2 tiles → put 1 in Set A box, 1 in Set B box.
3. For Singles → you need the mate. Check if it's mis-sorted (e.g., 5-2 filed under 2-5).
4. For Missing → you have a partial set. Options:
   • Buy replacement tiles (Etsy, eBay "domino replacement tiles").
   • Mark blank tiles with sharpie (casual play).
   • Play variants needing only one set (Block, Draw, Mexican Train uses one double-12).

Storage Tip

Store each set in a zippered pouch labeled "Set A / Set B" with a printed inventory checklist taped inside. Prevents re-mixing.