What is Domino?

Domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block with one or more faces bearing dots, usually resembling those on dice. It is used to play a number of games, both solo and with others.

The domino effect describes a series of events that build upon each other, with small actions resulting in larger consequences. This concept is widely used in the media to describe how one event can lead to other events, and it is often used as a metaphor for social change. The phrase is also often used to describe a chain reaction in a business, such as when the opening of one store leads to the opening of other stores in the same location or when a company introduces a new product and sees an immediate increase in sales.

While the domino is a symbol of how small actions can lead to greater results, the word itself dates back to an even earlier sense of the word. It originally denoted a hooded robe worn with a mask at a masquerade. It may also refer to the costume worn by a priest over his white surplice.

Traditionally, domino sets are made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on them. More recently, sets have been made from a variety of materials, including marble, soapstone, metals and ceramic clay. These types of materials are more expensive than polymer materials, but many people feel that they have a better aesthetic and a more substantial feeling in hand.

Most domino games are played with a set of tiles, which are arranged on a table in a line according to the rules of the particular game being played. This arrangement of tiles is sometimes called a layout, string or line of play. As each player draws his hand, he places his tile in the line of play, matching the pips on the open ends with those of the other tiles already laid. Then he makes his first play, as explained here under Order of Play and according to the rules of the particular game being plays.

As players continue to match pips and make their plays, the line of play grows longer. If, at any time, it becomes apparent that a player has drawn more tiles for his hand than he is permitted to take according to the rules of the particular game being play, the extra tiles should be “byed” or passed on to the player to his right. These additional tiles are returned to the stock and should be reshuffled before any other player draws his hand.

It is possible that no player will be able to make another play, in which case the game is blocked. At that point, the player to his right should draw from the stock the number of tiles permitted by the rules of the particular game and place them in his line of play.