Domino is a set of rectangular blocks that can be used to play many games. The blocks have a line down their center, which separates them into two squares with a different arrangement of dots (called pips) on each side. Unlike dice or playing cards, dominoes can be played by more than one person. The rules of most domino games differ slightly from place to place. However, a basic understanding of the mechanics of the blocks can help you play most of these games.
The concept behind domino is simple: if one domino is tipped over, it will trigger the next domino to tip over, and so on, until all the pieces in a given line have been tipped over. This creates a chain reaction that can result in very complex designs.
Some people use dominoes to make patterns, while others use them as toys or learning tools. Many children enjoy arranging them in long lines and then knocking them over. This type of activity can teach kids the principles of physics, including conservation of energy. It can also help them learn how a single action can have far-reaching consequences. This WONDER has led some children to coin the term “domino effect,” which describes a situation that starts small but has a large-scale impact.
Each domino is numbered on its two open ends. The numbering is similar to that on a die, but there are some important differences. Most of the time, a domino shows one number on each end, but occasionally a piece has two numbers on both ends. If the two numbers show the same value, a player may choose to “stitch up” the ends so that the domino is easier to read.
Most dominoes have an identifying mark on one of the squares, usually an arrangement of dots called pips. The other square is blank or identically patterned. The pips are arranged in such a way that the identity-bearing face is always adjacent to the matching end of another domino. This configuration is referred to as the domino string, layout, or line of play.
When a player plays a domino, it must be positioned edge to edge against the matching tile in such a way that the pips match. Each time a tile is placed, the domino chain grows in length.
As the domino chain grows, it can become difficult to identify which tile is the heaviest double. The easiest solution is to follow the general rule that whoever holds the highest double begins play. However, this method can be frustrating for some players because it can lead to the same domino being played multiple times.
Like domino chains, a story must have the proper sequence of scenes. These scenes should advance the story toward its goal, but they should not be overly long or short. They should also be properly spaced so that the sequence of events isn’t choppy or boring. This is why many writers think of each scene in a story as a domino, as it’s easy to see how they affect each other and the overall structure of the narrative.