Domino is a game in which players arrange a row of dominoes, each bearing an arrangement of spots or numbers on one side and a blank or matching pattern on the other. Dominoes are typically rectangular, though other shapes also exist. In most games, the first player starts by placing a single domino on the table and then matches its end to part of another domino so that the adjacent sides form either a specified total or are identical. Then, if possible, additional tiles are added to form chains of dominoes. The number of adjacent sides can differ depending on the game and rules.
Dominoes have been used for various types of games since they were introduced in the mid-18th century. They were first recorded in Italy and France, but were introduced into England by French prisoners toward the end of that period. There are now many different forms of the game, most involving blocking or scoring. Some, such as domino solitaire or trick-taking games, are adaptations of card games and were once popular to circumvent religious proscriptions against playing cards.
Some domino sets are made with a variety of materials, such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or ebony, with the pips inlaid or painted in black or white. Other sets have a distinctively modern look with polymer or wood-like pieces. Natural-material sets tend to be heavier than their polymer counterparts and have a more tactile feel. They are usually more expensive than plastic-based sets.
Hevesh, who is known for her intricate domino setups, uses science to achieve some of her designs. The physics behind them is simple: each time a domino falls, gravity pulls it toward the ground and pushes on its neighboring dominoes, setting off a chain reaction. Hevesh’s large installations can take several nail-biting minutes to fall.
While the Domino’s name is synonymous with pizza, the company has a rich history in other areas as well. The word itself has roots in Latin and French, and originally denoted a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask at carnival or masquerade festivities. Domino’s CEO Brandon Doyle has embraced this sense of domino as the foundation for the company’s culture, promoting values such as listening to employees and championing customers.
Most dominoes have a number of pips on two ends, but the number on one end is different from that on the other. Generally, the number on each end is indicated by a single dot or square, but some have double dots. The most common set has a maximum of 24 points on each end. Other sets are “extended” by adding more pips on each end, increasing the maximum number of points per end to 32 or more. Larger sets can be used only in certain special games with limited rules, such as a domino championship. A smaller “regular” set can be played with as few as four people. In addition to regular games, there are also domino tournaments.