Domino is a game in which players try to place tiles on the table so that the chain of dominoes they are building forms a snake-line of numbers from one end to the other. The traditional domino set contains 28 unique pieces – each with two opposite-facing ends with numbered dots from zero to six (though blank ends are sometimes included as well). The highest-value piece is the double-six, which can be played to either of its adjacent sides, creating a chain that runs across the table.
When a player cannot play a tile to the nearest chain, they “knock” or rap on the table, and play passes to their opponent. Normally, the winner is the player whose total number of remaining spots on their dominoes is least. But the game can also be won by a team, in which case the winning pair is determined by their combined totals of remaining spots on their dominoes.
The word domino has a long history, with an even longer list of meanings. It first appeared in English around 1750, and it is thought to be derived from French domanda, which itself derives from an earlier sense of the word describing a hooded cloak worn over a white surplice at carnival season or during masquerades.
It is important to understand the rules of a particular domino game before playing. These may determine how the game is won, who makes the first play, or whether a tie can be broken. Generally, the first play is made by a player who draws the heaviest domino from the stock. However, some games have alternate methods of determining the order of play, such as drawing lots or choosing the player who holds the highest double.
The game itself is easy to learn, and its enduring popularity is due in part to its simplicity. The challenge lies in devising a strategy that will help you win the most points in a given session of the game. It is also possible to use the game to develop mathematical skills by analyzing the probability of a certain outcome.
While many people have fun simply by arranging dominoes in different patterns, others enjoy creating a specific design or pattern with them. Such designs can be as simple as straight lines or curved ones that form pictures, or more complicated grids that can be used to construct 3D structures such as towers and pyramids.
When composing a novel, it is important to consider the domino effect when thinking about how to shape your story and what happens next. Just like the pulse of a firing neuron, the impact of each domino that falls affects its neighbors – and can change the course of your entire book.