Domino is a game of matching numbers and colors in which players place dominoes on the edge of a table or another surface so that they can form long lines. A player then begins to tip the first domino in the line, which causes the next domino in the line to tip and so on until all of the dominoes are tipped over. These long lines of dominoes can be arranged to form shapes and are often used as decorations for parties or other special occasions. People also play domino to exercise their problem-solving skills and for the enjoyment of the rhythmic movement that comes with tipped dominoes. This popular activity has given rise to the term, “domino effect,” which refers to any action that can lead to an accumulation of events that have far-reaching consequences.
Dominoes are direct descendants of ordinary six-sided dice, and they have been played throughout the world for many centuries. Some of the games are very simple, requiring only calculation and strategy, while others call for much more advanced skill, such as hand-eye coordination. Originally, dominoes were made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony. More recently, sets have been produced from a variety of materials, including plastic and ceramics.
There are numerous variations on the basic rules of domino, and different regions have their own unique variations. Despite these differences, most of the rules of domino are universal, although some game names may vary. Many people have a difficult time distinguishing between the many variations in domino rules, and it is not uncommon for the same game to be known by several different names in the same region.
After the tiles are shuffled, each player draws one domino from the stock that is permitted by the rules of the game being played. The player who draws the highest double or single, if applicable, then makes the first play of the game. In some games, ties can be broken by drawing new dominoes from the stock.
A person who is skilled at playing domino can create complex constructions in which all of the pieces are tipped over simultaneously in an impressive display of balance and proportion. The beauty of these domino constructions has inspired artists to use the technique in their works of art.
The origin of the word domino is unclear, but it appears to have been derived from the earlier sense of the word, which denoted a long hooded cape worn together with a mask at carnival season or during a masquerade. The word can also refer to a large black domino that contrasts with a priest’s white surplice.
The popularity of the game of domino has led to the development of a wide variety of games and methods of scoring, some of which require skill as well as a keen eye for pattern recognition. In addition to the traditional scoring methods listed below, some players choose to employ a rule variation in which the winning player must count the total number of pips left in each losing player’s hand at the end of a game or a hand and add this to their score.