The beauty of most of the games from Minute to Win It is that they're very simple to set up and play at home with friends and family. CD Dominos is no exception - in fact, it's likely the easiest game to both set up for a party, and to play. It works just like you would assume it does.
The Goal
The goal of CD Dominos is very simple: set up a stack of CD cases in a domino formation, push the first one over, and watch as they all tumble down. Of course they have to fall in order, and the last one must topple off a table and into a waiting bucket. Complete this relatively easy task in one minute or less and you've mastered the game.
Equipment Needed
To play CD Dominos, here's what you will need:
- 20 empty CD jewel cases
- A table
- One bucket, any size
How to Play
There is very little setup required for this game: simply stack the CD cases into two piles of ten, and place the bucket on the floor beside one of the table legs, directly beneath the edge of the table top.
To play, start the one-minute timer. The player now has to arrange the CD cases in a domino fashion, making a "U" shape. The "U" should start at one corner of the table, stretch across, and return to the corner with the bucket. Once the "dominos" are in place, the player then nudges the first one so that they fall line real dominos, with the final case falling off the table and into the bucket.
The Rules
Even though this is a simple game, there are some rules to keep in mind while playing.
- All 20 of the CD cases must be used
- After the CD cases are placed in formation, only the very first case may be touched to start the dominos falling
- Only the last CD case may fall off the table and into the bucket - if more than one case falls, the game is lost
Tips and Tricks
Basic domino rules apply here. Remember to leave enough space between the CD cases to allow them to free-fall, but not too much space or they won't hit each other on the way down. Pay special attention to the turn, and make sure that the final two CD cases aren't so close together that they'll both tumble into the bucket.
The blueprint with video instructions for this game can be found at NBC.com.
Variations and Modifications
CD Dominos has the distinction of needing a way to make it more difficult, since mastering the game is quite simple. If you want to make it a bit trickier, you can require that the CD cases be placed in order. To do this, cut out 20 squares of paper to fit the front covers of the jewel cases (or use a template to print them out before cutting, such as this one). Using colored markers, paint, or crayons, put large letters or numbers on the squares. Then, fit these squares into the cases so the letters or numbers are clearly visible, and stack them in random order. To play, the contestant must line up the "dominos" in alphabetical or numerical order, in addition to getting the last one to fall into the bucket.
You can also make this game easier for small children by only requiring a 10-case straight line that falls in sequence, without the need for one to fall in the bucket.
For a game with a Christmas theme, use CD cases from holiday themed CDs with the inserts (covers) left intact.
