In domino, the pips on a tile represent values that can be combined in different ways to form a total. Each side of a domino has an open end, which can be played onto another tile.

A player draws a hand of seven tiles, and then plays according to the rules of the specific game being played. The shuffling of tiles determines who will go first.

Origin

Domino is the result of a top-secret government breeding program intended to create the perfect weapon. She possesses mutant probability-altering powers that she uses as a mercenary. She is a skilled marksman, athlete, and martial artist; she also has exceptional agility and reflexes.

Domino first appeared in the West in the early 18th century, when she was first documented in Italy. It spread across Europe and eventually reached England toward the end of that century, possibly brought over by French prisoners.

There is no consensus on the origin of the word domino, although some etymologists suggest that it is based on the hooded cape called a dominus worn by priests in Europe. Others believe it is derived from the Latin word for “lord” or from a type of half mask used in ancient Egypt.

Rules

Players draw an equal number of dominoes and discard any odd ones. They then arrange these dominoes face up on the table and a piece is placed perpendicular to the existing chain. Each player then tries to link the adjacent pieces with values matching those of the already-placed dominoes.

After a player has finished playing his or her hand, the winner of that hand scores. If no player can make a play, the game ends in stale-mate.

In scoring games, each open end of the line of play must be counted. If it is a multiple of 5, the player who plays on it scores one point. Otherwise, the score is based on the total of the opponents’ unscored dominoes. The winner of the game is the player who makes the highest total.

Materials

The domino is a small rectangular block made of rigid material, such as wood or bone. It is usually twice as long as it is wide and its identity-bearing face is divided into two square halves, each marked with an arrangement of dots, or pips, resembling those on dice. The empty squares on either side of the line separating the halves may be blank or filled with a value.

Modern mass-produced dominoes are usually made of plastics. However, sets can be hand-made of other materials such as stone (e.g., marble, granite or soapstone), other woods such as ebony, and even metals.

Higher-end wooden dominoes are often hand-crafted and layered in multiple woods to create a unique look. These pieces are usually more expensive and considered to be works of art.

Variations

There are many different games played with dominoes, and each game has its own rules. However, most of the games share some common features. These include a line of play, scoring, and blocking. In addition, some games require a specific type of domino or set of tiles.

A domino is a tile with a ridge that divides it visually into two squares, each of which has an arrangement of spots or pips. Each side of the tile has a value that ranges from six pips down to none or blank.

In some domino games, players take turns playing a tile until they can no longer do so and are blocked. Typically, the player who can no longer play a tile calls out “Domino!” and wins the hand or game.

Scoring

Muggins is a scoring domino game in which players score points by making the ends of the domino layout add up to multiples of five. It is a popular pub game in Britain and is played in several championship domino tournaments.

Each player takes turns playing a domino on an endpoint. The endpoint of a domino is identified by the number of dots or pips on its face. Dominoes with two identical pips on each half of their faces are doubles and those with one of the four different numbers on both halves of their faces are singles.

If a player cannot play a domino on the endpoint, they must knock and pass turn. When they can play a domino, they must lay it so that the exposed ends of the domino form a chain.