Domino is a type of game in which players place domino tiles edge to edge against one another in such a way that the adjacent sides match or form some specified total. The number of dots on each end of a domino determines its value. A domino with two identical ends is a double; a tile with three identical ends is called a triple. A set of dominoes with a variety of numbers on each side is known as a deck.
Unlike other toys, which often fall apart after repeated use, dominoes remain popular. They are used in games ranging from simple counting and matching to complex strategy. They are also a great teaching tool for children who are learning to count.
A domino is a rectangular ceramic tile with a number of dots (or pips) on each of its four sides. The back of each domino is either blank or decorated with a design. Most domino sets consist of 28 tiles, although larger sets exist and are sometimes used for long domino games. Each domino is numbered on both its face and its back, so that each piece has a unique number for identification purposes. The number on the domino’s face is referred to as its value, while the numbers on its back are referred to as its suit.
The most common type of domino play is a layout game, and these games typically fall into two broad categories: blocking games and scoring games. In blocking games, the object is to empty a player’s hand while preventing his or her opponent from playing. In scoring games, a score is determined by counting the number of domino pips in the losing players’ hands.
Dominoes are usually played on a large table, and the layout of a domino board is often very intricate. Depending on the rules of a specific game, the layout may be a square, a circle, or some other shape. In most of the more popular domino games, a domino must be placed adjacent to a previous domino. The adjacent dominos must be matched in number and in suit, and the players compete to place the most dominoes on the board.
When a domino is positioned, its open ends must be free for future placements. The first tile played is usually a double, and subsequent tiles must be played so that they straddle the end of the first tile. A tile with a single blank side can be connected to any other domino of the same suit, but it cannot be played against itself.
As Hevesh continues to build her domino structures, she makes test versions of each section and films them in slow motion to ensure that the pieces will fit together properly. This process demonstrates how, even in the most detailed of arrangements, each domino has its own inertia and resists movement until a tiny nudge overcomes it. Then the potential energy that was stored in each piece becomes available for other actions, such as causing the next domino to tip over.