by Domino is a game of chance and skill, played by two or more players. It involves laying down a row of dominoes, each having one or more numbers, so that they touch at both ends. The players then alternately place a domino in the center of the table, positioning it so that its number is showing at one end or the other of the chain, and continue to play tiles until the chain is complete.
The word domino comes from the Italian domino, meaning “flip.” Dominoes are usually made of ivory or bone and feature a dark, contrasting color on the face, such as black or ebony. They are designed to be small enough to manage in a confined workshop but detailed enough to demand respect for the craftsman who created them.
In modern times, domino sets are commonly made of polymer materials such as plastic and bakelite, but have also been manufactured from stone (e.g., marble, granite or soapstone); other natural materials such as woods (e.g., hickory, oak or redwood) and a variety of metals; ceramic clay; and even glass. Some of these have a heavier, more substantial feel than polymer sets and may be more durable; they often cost more as well.
There are many different types of domino games, but most involve positioning a domino edge to edge against another in order to form a chain of pips that is either identical or forms some specified total. Some games also involve blocking the opponent’s play, with the goal being to prevent them from completing their turn or scoring points.
Some rules of domino specify that a player cannot buy any of the tiles in the stock, but others permit this, particularly later in the game when the player has drawn a hand with which he can make a play and does not have enough matching tiles in his own hand. When a player draws more tiles for his hand than he is permitted to take, this is referred to as an overdraw. The player must draw the excess dominoes back into the stock without looking at them, and they should be reshuffled before another player draws his hand.
A popular scoring method in some domino games is to count the total number of pips in the losing players’ hands at the end of the hand or game, adding this number to the winner’s score. In some cases, the total is based on the number of doubles and singles in the losing players’ hands; other scoring methods are also used. This scoring system is sometimes referred to as the Domino Effect, because when changing one behavior, such as reducing sedentary time or increasing exercise, other behaviors shift as a result. For example, in a study from Northwestern University, participants who decreased their sedentary time were found to decrease their fat intake. Similarly, when the CEO of Domino’s changed the company’s dress code and employee training programs, the employees took notice and incorporated some of these changes into their own lives.
