Domino is a game of skill and chance played by two or more players. Each domino has a number of pips (also known as spots) on one side, and is blank or identically patterned on the other. The number of pips on the domino determines its value. In some games, two dominoes are considered to match if the number of pips on one exceeds that of the other.
A set of dominoes may be used for a variety of purposes, from simple building and art projects to more elaborate games of strategy. For example, a student could create a domino track and use it to demonstrate geometric shapes or patterns. In an instructional ot therapy manner, a child with Autism can use a domino set with pictures to help him learn to name objects or people.
In most domino games, the first player sets a single domino on its edge on the table. Then the player to his left adds a domino with the same number of pips as the first tile, to one of its free ends. The remaining tiles are kept in the stock and, depending on the rules of the game, may be bought later in the play.
The word “domino” and the corresponding domino game derive from the Latin for “little tyrant.” This is an allusion to the fact that, unlike many other toys and games, the individual pieces in a domino set have very high centers of gravity and are thus difficult to tip over unless pushed from the sides. Once a domino is tipped over, however, its weight causes it to push forward on the adjacent pieces until they reach their own tipping points and fall.
There are many different domino games, each with its own special rules and goals. Some involve blocking and scoring, while others involve trick-taking and bluffing. Many of these games were developed to circumvent religious prohibitions against playing cards, which at the time had been popular in some countries.
The most widespread and best-known domino game is Twenty-one, which involves betting on the number of matching pips between two players’ tiles. Other games are more complex and require that each domino match not just one but a series of adjacent pairs of tiles. Dominoes can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common are ivory and a dark hardwood such as ebony, with contrasting black or white pips. Historically, sets have also been made from stone (such as marble and granite); soapstone; metals like brass or pewter; and ceramic clay. In addition, some players prefer to use a domino set made from wood or another natural material that will age over time. These types of sets are often more expensive than those made from polymer materials. They tend to have a more classic look, and the pieces can be more easily cleaned than those made from plastic. They also have a pleasing, tactile feel. Some people enjoy displaying dominoes as works of art in their homes.