Many people have played domino, a game in which a player sets up small rectangular blocks of wood or plastic and then knocks them over one by one. When the first domino falls, it triggers a chain reaction in which the other dominoes fall over in turn. This is known as the Domino Effect. The word domino is also used to describe a person or event that has an impact on something else, such as a country’s political situation.
A domino is a small rectangular block of wood or plastic with markings that resemble those on dice. A domino is usually double-sided, with a value (or number of dots) indicated on each side. A set of dominoes contains 28 pieces. Dominoes are also sometimes called bones, cards, men, tiles, or spinners. They may be used in games of chance or for decorative purposes. The dominoes in a set are often arranged in an attractive pattern or line, and they can also be stacked up to form an impressive tower of blocks.
Some people use dominoes to learn the principles of probability and statistics. Others play the game for fun or to test their skill. The rules for domino vary, but the basic principle is that each domino must touch the adjacent ones to create a chain. The last domino standing is the winner.
When playing domino, players must carefully consider the next tile they will place. Whether it is a single, double, or triple, the domino must be placed squarely in the direction of the existing chain. The open ends of the domino must be touching fully, and if a domino has two matching sides, it must be placed either perpendicular or diagonal to the other side of the chain.
In addition to the standard domino set, there are some sets made from exotic materials such as silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl, MOP), ivory, or dark hardwoods such as ebony with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on them. These sets are usually more expensive, but they give a more unique and elegant look to the game.
Another type of domino is a curved or molded piece that can be used to make an unusual shape in the middle of a pattern or line of dominoes. These shapes are often used to make a pattern of dots that can be read as a message or symbol.
Some people make impressive displays using dominoes, especially when they are arranged in a circle. They can take days to complete, and they can involve hundreds of thousands of dominoes. One famous display by artist Bess Hevesh involves a 76,017-domino display in which each domino is painted with a different color and shape.
In the business world, the Domino Effect refers to a phenomenon in which a change in one behavior causes a shift in related behaviors. For example, when people decrease their sedentary time each day, they are likely to eat less fat-laden foods as a result.
