3omino

3omino is a tile‑based board game that combines elements of dominoes and polyomino puzzles. The game was first published in 1989 by the board‑game developer Tiling Games and was marketed primarily in North America and Europe. A standard set contains 56 rectangular tiles, each tile consisting of two squares connected by a central divider. Unlike traditional dominoes, the tiles are scored by the number of adjoining squares they share with adjacent tiles when placed on a flat board, giving a simple yet strategic placement game.

Gameplay involves two or more players who take turns placing tiles on a wooden or cardboard playing surface. Each tile must be placed with its two squares adjacent to previously placed tiles, so that the final layout covers a contiguous region. Players earn points equal to the number of shared edges between their tiles and the tiles already on the board. The game concludes when no further legal moves exist or when the board is completely filled, at which point the player with the highest score wins.

Because 3omino tiles can only be placed orthogonally, the game lends itself to analysis similar to polyomino tiling problems. Several computer‑based studies have been performed to evaluate the space‑filling properties of various 3omino configurations and to ascertain optimal strategies. The game has also been used in educational contexts to illustrate concepts in combinatorics, tiling theory, and algorithmic puzzle solving.

In terms of cultural impact, 3omino has appeared in a handful of puzzle magazines and was praised for its balance of simplicity and depth. Although it has not achieved the widespread popularity of classic dominoes or modern tile‑based games like Carcassonne, it retains a niche following among tabletop enthusiasts who appreciate its straightforward rules and mathematical elegance.