Domino is a popular game that can be played by more than one person. It involves laying down dominoes in careful sequence, each leading to the next until the whole line topples with the nudge of just one domino. Dominos are normally twice as long as they are wide and may be carved in wood, clay, or made of ceramics. They are usually marked with an arrangement of dots, called pips, which identify them and determine their value. There are many different types of domino, and each type has a different rule set for playing the game.
The rules of domino vary by game, but most are based on the principle that each player must play his or her tiles in order, according to the rules of the particular game being played. The first player to play all of his or her tiles wins the hand. The other players then take turns drawing and putting down additional dominoes until the winner has completed a full domino chain of pips.
A basic set of dominoes consists of 28 double-six tiles. These are shuffled and placed face down, forming a stock or boneyard. Each player draws seven dominoes from the stock and places them in front of him or her. The pips on each domino are arranged so that the players can see the value of their own tiles but cannot see the pips of the other players’ tiles.
When a domino is put down, it must be completely covered with additional dominoes before the player may make another play. The players must then continue to place dominoes, working their way around the table and trying to block each other so that they cannot get a complete domino chain.
There are several variations on the basic rules of domino, some of which are outlined in a book called “The Great Book of Domino Games.” The most extensive rules for each game are found in this text. Some players prefer to allow plays off the ends of a double, while others do not. This rule is not universally followed, however, and some games specify that all or a certain number of the dominoes in the stock must be bought before any can be played.
In addition to being played in traditional ways, dominoes are used to create artwork and to decorate homes and gardens. They are also available as a form of entertainment, where builders compete in domino shows, building complex and imaginative domino reactions for audiences to admire and cheer.
A Domino effect is a series of events that leads to something bigger or more important than the original event. For example, a single setback or delay can cause a domino effect that results in delays or even failures throughout an entire organization. One event can have a negative impact on multiple parts of an organization, and the results can cascade into the overall reputation or profitability of the company. This is particularly true for companies that rely on repeat business and loyalty.
