A domino is a small, rectangular game piece with markings that look like spots or pips on a die. They’re used in a variety of games.
One of the most intriguing aspects of dominoes is their ability to create a chain reaction. When one domino falls, it knocks down hundreds and sometimes thousands of others.
Origin
Dominoes have a long history of existence. They are known as one of the oldest forms of traditional games, and have played a key role in many cultures.
The origin of dominoes is a matter of debate, though it is believed that Chinese dominoes were first introduced to Europe in the 18th century initially to Italy. The game then spread across the continent to become a fad, and was later brought to England by French prisoners-of-war.
European dominoes differ from their Asian counterparts in that they don’t feature military-civilian suit distinctions or duplicate combination tiles. They also have a different number of tiles, with the standard Double six set containing twenty-eight pieces, and other sets such as double nine and double twelve are available.
Rules
Domino is a very simple game that likely originated in China many centuries ago and is now popular all over the world. It is a game that requires only a set of dominoes or a flat surface and usually takes just about 30 minutes with two to five players.
The object of the game is to score points by laying all of the dominoes end-to-end. If the exposed ends of the domino chain total any multiple of five, the player earns that number of points immediately.
Another variation of the game is “Draw.” The rules of this game are very similar to the card version except that each player draws from a boneyard instead of holding their own dominoes. This is a great way to get children interested in dominoes.
Variations
Dominoes are a variant of the game of playing cards. They have a face and a back, with the front side marked with an arrangement of spots (pips).
The back of each domino is blank or identically patterned. The number of pips on the domino’s face is determined by its shape and the lines that divide it into two square halves.
In most positional games, each player in turn places a domino edge to edge against another in such a way that the adjacent faces are either identical (e.g., 5 to 5) or form some specified total.
Doubles are always placed cross-ways across the end of a chain and a tile played to a double must also be placed accordingly – perpendicular to the double touching at its middle. Alternatively, the double can be played squarely in any of three directions as long as its two matching sides are fully adjacent and touching.
Materials
Dominoes are a small, flat block used as a gaming object. Originally, dominoes were made of ivory inlaid with pips of ebony.
They are now made of many different materials, including metals, plastics, and wood. Some dominoes are made of high-quality hardwood, like maple or oak, while others are made from cheaper woods, such as pine.
These woods are durable and have a nice hand-feel to them. They’re also splinter-free, and are great for long-lasting fun.
There are many types of domino sets, including single six (28 tiles) and double nine (55 tiles). Larger sets are commonly available for games involving multiple players or for longer domino games.
Scoring
In domino, players score based on the number of pips on their opponent’s tiles. Often, each player has a target score before the game begins.
Scoring in domino is a game of strategy, and it requires a lot of coordination between players. It can be tricky, especially when you’re playing against someone who has the same goals as you.
During play, each player must play one tile from his hand. The tile he plays must match the row of dominoes. The winning player usually has the highest score.