Dominoes Explained
Dominoes are a fun way to demonstrate how one small action can cause a chain reaction. As a book editor, I often encourage my clients to think of each plot beat in their novel as a domino. By thinking of each scene or event as a domino, it’s easier to see how each one needs to come before the next. If each domino is carefully placed, then the result will be a smooth flow of events that leads to the final scene—the big bang at the end of the story.
The word domino is actually derived from the Latin “dominium” meaning “power over,” or more literally, “to control.” As such, it’s a very fitting name for this game of strategic positioning and skillful timing.
During the game, players arrange tiles in rows, face up on a table, and draw a hand of seven, or more, to determine who plays first. The player who draws the highest double goes first, and each player then takes turns placing tiles in the layout, usually starting with a double-six. When a tile cannot be played, it is “stitched up” to the nearest open end of the layout. This creates four open lines to which additional dominoes can be added, but only if the other ends are not connected already.
Once a domino is in play, the pips on it can be counted to score points. The pips are colored to match the tile’s color, and they represent different values. A single domino’s pips indicate its value, while the number of dots on a double and a triple indicate their value combined. Some sets use more readable Arabic numerals instead of pips.
The game can be as simple or complicated as a player wants to make it. Most domino games are either blocking or scoring games, in which the aim is to place a piece on the layout in such a way that it blocks all other pieces from being played, or that it adds to some predetermined total. The number of points required to win varies according to the rules of the game.
In the past, dominoes were also used to teach children about numbers and counting. The game can also be a fun way to introduce the concept of probability, as it illustrates how one small event can impact the outcome of a larger event.
There are a variety of different domino games, each requiring different skills and strategy. Some are more complex than others, and the size of the set can also affect the difficulty level. While many domino games are played with standard clay or plastic tiles, historically, they have been made from a wide range of materials including silver-lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), bone, ivory, and dark hardwoods such as ebony. The latter have a richer feel and can be more visually striking than polymer sets. In addition, they may be more durable over time.
Dominoes are a fun way to demonstrate how one small action can cause a chain reaction. As a book editor, I often encourage my clients to think of each plot beat in their novel as a domino. By thinking of each scene or event as a domino, it’s easier to see how each one needs to come before the next. If each domino is carefully placed, then the result will be a smooth flow of events that leads to the final scene—the big bang at the end of the story. The word domino is actually derived from the Latin “dominium” meaning “power over,” or more literally, “to control.” As such, it’s a very fitting name for this game of strategic positioning and skillful timing. During the game, players arrange tiles in rows, face up on a table, and draw a hand of seven, or more, to determine who plays first. The player who draws the highest double goes first, and each player then takes turns placing tiles in the layout, usually starting with a double-six. When a tile cannot be played, it is “stitched up” to the nearest open end of the layout. This creates four open lines to which additional dominoes can be added, but only if the other ends are not connected already. Once a domino is in play, the pips on it can be counted to score points. The pips are colored to match the tile’s color, and they represent different values. A single domino’s pips indicate its value, while the number of dots on a double and a triple indicate their value combined. Some sets use more readable Arabic numerals instead of pips. The game can be as simple or complicated as a player wants to make it. Most domino games are either blocking or scoring games, in which the aim is to place a piece on the layout in such a way that it blocks all other pieces from being played, or that it adds to some predetermined total. The number of points required to win varies according to the rules of the game. In the past, dominoes were also used to teach children about numbers and counting. The game can also be a fun way to introduce the concept of probability, as it illustrates how one small event can impact the outcome of a larger event. There are a variety of different domino games, each requiring different skills and strategy. Some are more complex than others, and the size of the set can also affect the difficulty level. While many domino games are played with standard clay or plastic tiles, historically, they have been made from a wide range of materials including silver-lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), bone, ivory, and dark hardwoods such as ebony. The latter have a richer feel and can be more visually striking than polymer sets. In addition, they may be more durable over time.