The Competitor's Guide
You're here to win. This guide covers everything serious competitors need to know about rankings, prize pools, and the path to becoming a Dominologist.
You're not here for casual games. You want to know how to win, how to rank, and how to take home prize money. This guide is for you.
The Competitive Landscape
Weekly Prize Pools
Every week, your Sister City runs a challenge with real money on the line:
| Membership | Weekly Pool | Elite Six Split |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $500 | 1st: $200, 2nd: $125, 3rd: $75, 4th: $50, 5th: $30, 6th: $20 |
| Silver | $1,000 | 1st: $400, 2nd: $250, 3rd: $150, 4th: $100, 5th: $60, 6th: $40 |
| Gold | $2,000 | 1st: $800, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $300, 4th: $200, 5th: $120, 6th: $80 |
These pools are guaranteed weekly. Play consistently, finish in the Elite Six, and you're earning.
The Elite Six System
Every city has six spots at the top. The Elite Six are the highest-ranked players in each Sister City, determined by weekly performance.
How it works:
- Play matches throughout the week
- Accumulate ranking points based on wins
- Top 6 by weekly deadline enter the Elite Six showdown
- Elite Six players compete for that week's prize pool
Key insight: Consistency beats occasional brilliance. Players who compete every week build and maintain their ranking better than those who play sporadically.
The Ranking System
DCS uses an ELO-based rating system adapted for 4-player competition.
How Points Work
- Win against higher-ranked opponent: Large point gain
- Win against equal-ranked opponent: Moderate point gain
- Win against lower-ranked opponent: Small point gain
- Lose to lower-ranked opponent: Large point loss
- Lose to equal-ranked opponent: Moderate point loss
- Lose to higher-ranked opponent: Small point loss
Dominance Bonus
Go Domino (play all your tiles) and you earn bonus ranking points. This rewards decisive play, not just eking out wins on pip counts.
Weekly Reset
Rankings don't fully reset, but recent performance weighs more heavily. A player who dominated last month but hasn't played in weeks will see their ranking decay. This keeps the leaderboard active and rewards current competitors.
The Path to National Glory
Level 1: Sister City Champion
Dominate your local competition. Make the Elite Six consistently. Become the player everyone in your city has to beat.
Recognition: City Champion badge, featured on city leaderboard
Level 2: Regional Qualifier
Top performers from Sister Cities qualify for regional tournaments. These bring together the best from multiple cities.
Recognition: Regional ranking, regional prize pools
Level 3: National Domination Tournament (NDT)
The annual NDT brings together America's top Dominologists. Regional qualifiers earn their spot. The competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and the nation is watching.
Recognition: National ranking, major prize pool, Dominologist status
Level 4: World Dominologist Championship (WDC)
The pinnacle. NDT champions and top performers compete for the global title. This is where legends are made.
Recognition: World ranking, legacy status, ultimate bragging rights
Strategy for Serious Competitors
Optimize Your Membership ROI
Gold membership math:
- $200/year = ~$4/week
- Weekly prize pool: $2,000
- First place: $800
- Break-even: Win ~1 Elite Six in 4 months
If you're consistently making the Elite Six, Gold membership pays for itself quickly.
Manage Your Schedule
- Peak competition times mean tougher opponents but more activity
- Off-peak play can build rankings against weaker competition
- Tournament deadlines are fixed—plan your week accordingly
Study the Elite Six
Your city's top players aren't random. Study their patterns:
- When do they play?
- What's their play style?
- Where are their weaknesses?
To become Elite, you need to beat Elite.
Consider Multi-City Competition
DCS allows play across cities under certain conditions. If you travel or relocate, you can compete in different arenas. Some competitors use this strategically.
Competitor Resources
- Tournament Structure — Understand the full competitive system
- Elite Six Details — Deep dive on weekly showdowns
- NDT Information — National tournament details
- Membership Tiers — Choose the right investment level
The Bottom Line
DCS rewards skill, consistency, and competitive drive. The money is real, the rankings matter, and the path to national recognition is open.
How far will you go?