Domino is one of the most popular games of all time. It is played with rectangular pieces of wood or plastic that have a pattern of spots on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other. The domino is a variant of the poker chip, and has the same sort of markings on the sides, or pips, that are found on a die.
Like the poker chip, the domino is used for scoring points in a number of different games. The game rules vary, but the object is to score as many points as possible by placing tiles end-to-end so that the exposed ends of a domino match up. For example, a tile placed to the left of a six-six must have a six-six on both its exposed ends. If the matched ends total any multiple of five, the player scores those points.
The most common domino sets include double-six (28 tiles) and double-nine (55 tiles). Other progressively larger sets exist and are often used for games that involve several players or for players who are interested in playing long domino chains.
When playing a game of domino, each player draws their tiles and places them on the table. Depending on the game, the first player to place a tile may be determined by drawing lots or by the owner of the heaviest hand. Once all the players have placed their tiles, play passes to the next player. The tiles are usually arranged on-edge, so that the value of each is visible to all other players.
While the games of domino are based on chance, strategy and timing are also important considerations. A good strategy requires a thoughtful plan. Similarly, a good story requires careful planning. The process of plotting a novel, for example, might involve an outline, a timeline and a storyboard.
A good plot is a chain of events that leads to the climax and resolution of a story. It is important to have a clear and compelling storyline, but it is equally important to be able to follow through on the actions and reactions of your characters.
A domino effect is a chain of events that starts with a small action and leads to much greater consequences. The term is also sometimes applied to other situations where a small event triggers a series of smaller, unrelated events.
Lily Hevesh is a professional artist who works with 3-D and flat arrangements of dominoes to create art installations. She makes test versions of each section of her installations and films them in slow motion. This allows her to make precise corrections before putting them all together. She believes that her experience with dominoes has taught her to plan carefully and work with precision. She also says that dominoes have helped her learn to break large tasks down into manageable parts. This process is similar to the way that Domino’s developed their business strategy in the early 1960s. They emphasized that they would be a valuable addition to college campuses, where they could reach a captive audience that wanted pizza quickly.