So you made it past Gambler 8? Welcome to the thinking man's side hustle: DOMINOES. In Red Dead Redemption 2, completing the Gambler 9 Challenge means you need to win 3 games of dominoes in a row, and let me tell you, this ain't your Grampa's Sunday picnic.
Rockstar didn't make this easy. But with the right tactics (and a healthy respect for numbers), you can become the undisputed domino king of the frontier.
First Things First: Study the Bones
Download and print my PDF of all 28 domino combinations.
Seriously.
This is the foundation of your strategy. Keep it next to you like it's Arthur's journal. If you're trying to beat this challenge without knowing the full set of dominoes, you're about as prepared as Uncle on a cattle drive.
Once you've got that printed sheet? Cut them out. Yes, with irl scissors. Then, as you draw dominoes in-game or see them played, sort the cutouts into three physical piles:
- Dominoes you have
- Dominoes that have been played
- Dominoes your opponent might still be holding
Forget mental math or scribbled notes. This tactile method is the cleanest way to deduce your opponent's options and dominate the table. Plus, it makes you feel like you're planning a train robbery with Dutch.
General Strategy Tips (aka: How to Dominate with Dots)
Know your numbers. After receiving your initial set of tiles, figure out which numbers you're rich in and which ones you're broke on. If you have three or more dominoes showing the same number, that's your golden ticket.
Control the board. If you can cap all open ends with a number you're rich in, you're choking your opponent's options. Think of it as putting a lasso around their whole game.
Bleed the opponent dry. If you're down to a couple tiles and suspect your opponent is stuck, keep the pressure on. Even a tie ("blocked game") can work in your favor if you have fewer points in hand.
Gambler 9: Three Wins in a Row Without Losing Your Mind
Winning one game of dominoes? Easy. Winning three in a row? That's where Rockstar earns their name. Here's how to stack the tiles in your favor:
1. Play One-on-One
Always, always try to play against a single opponent. Fewer players means fewer variables. If you see a table where there are multiple folks playing, just save your game, reload, or leave and come back later. You can even set up camp nearby and sleep to reset the NPCs.
Emerald Station is your best friend here. There's almost always a game running, and it's just a short trot away from a good campsite. If the table is crowded, you can stand up, sleep for a bit, and check the game again after a reset.
2. Know When to Fold 'Em (Or... Walk Away Mid-Game)
Yes, you can walk away mid-game without penalty to your win streak. If you feel like your opponent just laid down the equivalent of a stacked deck, get up and walk away. Come back, and boom, clean slate.
But be warned: if you're playing at your gang's camp (Horseshoe Overlook, Clemens Point, Shady Belle), standing up ends the session. You'll have to wait for a new game to randomly become available later. Stick to Emerald Station or other locations for Gambler 9.
3. Reset Smart, Not Hard
Save before every match once you're on a win streak. You can even rotate saves. If you win a game, save. If you lose the next, reload. It's save scumming, sure, but so is reloading checkpoints after accidentally tackling a shopkeeper.
BONUS: The Secret to Gambler 5 - Always Leave Yourself an Out
This one often gets overlooked, but if you're trying to complete the Gambler 5 Challenge, you need to win a game of dominoes without drawing any tiles. And for that, there's a critical rule:
Try to leave yourself an out.
Here's why: if you ever find yourself unable to play, you'll be forced to draw—and poof, challenge failed.
The best case is when your tile can be played on two or more ends of the board.
The next best case is when your tile can be played on one end only.
The worst case is when you have no legal moves and must hope your opponent plays a tile that opens the board up again. That's cowboy Russian roulette. Do they even have cowboys in Russia?
Use your PDF printout here, too! As dominoes are played and sorted into your three piles, you can start to predict what your opponent has left. Based on what remains, choose the play that gives you the highest probability of your opponent making a move that doesn't lock you out.
And this tip also helps with Gambler 9, but it's CRITICAL for Gambler 5, where you can't draw tiles. Stay sharp and play defensively. Gambler 5 isn't about domination—it's about survival.
Final Tip: Play Like Arthur Would
Dominoes in RDR2 isn't just about luck—it's about observing patterns, knowing when to push and when to retreat. Kinda like dealing with Micah.
If you take your time, play methodically, and don't let your ego write checks your tiles can't cash, you'll knock out Gambler 9 without needing Dead Eye.
And when you do? That satisfying sound of that last tile hitting the table is almost as good as a clean headshot in Dead Eye slow-mo.
Final Thoughts
Dominoes can feel a bit like a chore if you're rushing through the challenges. But if you approach it like a mini-game of deduction and control, it's actually one of the most strategic diversions in the game.
So print that domino chart, cut it up, sort your piles, saddle up to the Emerald Station table, and get to work.
In case you missed it, here's another link to the PDF:
[Download the Dominoes PDF HERE]
Good luck, cowboy. And remember: the fewer dots in your hand, the closer you are to victory.
