Everybody in my family is nice in Dominos

Following story and photographs by Polo Fernandez, 11, a student at M.S. 45 Stars Prep Academy on 120th in East Harlem, for a newspaper a group of students created under the watchful eye of Citizen School teachers Mr. Mastrangelo and Mr. Howell.

My Domino Story
By Polo Fernandez

My brother Zachary, 17 years old and my second oldest brother, is a good domino player and taught me how to play. He plays dominos in the house at least once a week, and is as good as my mother. He plays with everyone in the house; with me, my step dad, my mom. He plays with his older friends when they visit him from Puerto Rico. Watching them play hard and serious games allows me to learn how to play the game better. Often Zachary and his friends will play for money, usually five dollars or less. He always has money to play with. When I play with him, we play for fun, and I have a good time.

Zachary tells me I can get better if I keep playing, practicing with him and other older players. He started playing dominos when he was eight years old, and learned from the best domino player in the house, and that's my mom. My mother is very good and she shows my brother how to play. She should be called the trickster in dominos, because she tricks my brother wild crazy, causing him to play the wrong piece at the wrong time!


Zachary gets his great domino skills in his blood. Everybody in my family is nice in dominos, and Zachary is better than some, not as good as others. Soon, I will be the next best domino player in my family.