A domino game is a sequence of matching and playing tiles. These tiles are stacked on end in long lines to form a layout, string or line of play.
The player who makes the first play is known as the setter, downer or lead. He draws the number of tiles specified in the rules for the particular game being played. The rest of the tiles remain face down for a stock.
Origin
Dominoes are cousins to playing cards and have a very long history. The game originated in China, where it was played as far back as the 12th century. The Chinese dominoes were made of bone or ivory and had a variety of markings, called pips.
The earliest dominoes in the West were descended from cubic dice that had been introduced to China from India. Each domino originally represented one of the twenty-one results of throwing a pair of dice.
The game entered Europe in the 18th century and was first recorded in Italy and France. It was then brought to England, reportedly by French prisoners of war. The games we know and love today use rectangular dominoes marked on each end with numbers from zero to six.
Rules
There are many different rules and regulations for domino, depending on the type of game being played. These rules are designed to create fair play and ensure that all players can enjoy the game. Some of these rules are compulsory, such as the rule that a Double must be played on if it is discovered before the next player plays.
Players begin the game by shuffling a deck of dominoes and drawing a hand. Then, they begin placing tiles on the table. Each tile must be positioned so that it touches one end of the domino chain, which gradually develops into a snake-line shape. In some games, the pips on each side of a domino are counted as ends of the line of play.
Variations
In domino, the game’s outcome is determined by whose hand has the lowest total count of dots at the end of the round. The winning player receives a score equal to the sum of all of his opponents’ unplayed dominoes.
There are many variations of the game, including Basic Train, Mexican Train, Chicken Foot, Bendomino, Matador, Cyprus, and Maltese Cross. The rules vary slightly from one variant to another, but all share the same basic model.
Each player in turn plays a domino into the layout, positioning it so that the matching ends touch one another. The line of play then branches (unless a double is played, which is always placed perpendicular to the line) and the number on each end of the tile is counted.
Materials
Dominoes can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Some of these are molded, while others are hand-carved or cut from natural stone. The material of a domino has a significant impact on its performance.
Traditional European-style dominoes are usually made of silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl) or ivory with contrasting black or ebony pips. Some sets combine these materials with a solid wood such as oak or ash.
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Scoring
Dominoes are an excellent way to develop strategic thinking. Because domino is a game where luck is not decisive, the winning player must be able to plan ahead and outsmart opponents. This is a skill that can be applied to other games and in daily life.
To determine who plays first, the players draw lots or use some other method. If there is no tie, the player holding the heaviest tile begins play.
When a player wins, the pips left in his or her opponent’s remaining domino tiles are compared and the winner is awarded points. This scoring system is also important in blocking games, where the objective is to empty a player’s hand and block opponents’ moves. The game also encourages cooperation and teamwork.