Domino is a game of skill and strategy, in which players place domino tiles so that they form lines of play. These lines may extend either in one direction or across the whole table. Whenever a player places a tile so that it touches the end of a line of play, that ends the previous domino chain and sets off a chain reaction of falling pieces. Each domino has a number of dots, or pips, which indicates its value. The value of a domino may range from six pips down to none or blank. The larger a domino is, the more pips it has. A large domino is also called a double or a king.
The word domino is derived from the Latin for “flip,” which means to turn upside down. Historically, the term has also been used for long, rectangular blocks of wood used to represent a crown, or for a hooded cape worn over a priest’s surplice in carnival season or at a masquerade. Dominoes have been made in many materials, from traditional European-style bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), and ivory with contrasting black or white pips, to plastics. Natural materials are more expensive than polymer, but have a better feel and look.
Dominoes can be arranged in a variety of ways, creating a complex pattern that resembles a mosaic or an intricate stained glass window. One of the best known domino artists is Hevesh, who has created mind-blowing installations involving up to 300,000 dominoes. Hevesh’s designs are not just stunning to behold, but they are also carefully planned using the principles of physics.
As each player makes a play, the remaining tiles are returned to the stock. In most games, the highest domino must begin play; this is known as the ‘highest double.’ If the highest double is not available, the player with the heaviest single begins. Players may also choose to draw new hands, if permitted by the rules of the game being played.
In the past, dominoes were typically made of solid ivory, silver-lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), or ebony, with pips inlaid or painted on them. Today, they are often made of polymer, although there are still some sets made from various types of wood, including acacia, hickory, and mahogany. Some sets are crafted from a combination of these materials, for a more exotic appearance and higher cost.
In business, the Domino Effect is a principle that states that any change in one behavior can cause a shift in related behaviors. For example, if an individual starts to walk more and spends less time sitting around watching TV, they will likely start to eat healthier. This is because of the Domino Effect, in which one action triggers a chain reaction of other positive outcomes. This principle can be applied to writing novels as well; if a writer creates an interesting character, the audience will want to see what happens to them next.