Dominos are a set of small rectangular tiles with an arrangement of pips on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other. These pips identify the domino’s value and allow players to create chains of play.
When a domino falls down, it gets slowed by the next domino in its line of play and converts some of its potential energy into kinetic energy. This energy is used to push the next tile.
Rules
There are many different domino games that can be played. Each game has a specific objective and rules that must be followed. Some are race-type games while others require strategic play. Most games are played until one player has all their dominoes on the table and scores the maximum number of points. Some games have a set score goal of 100, 150 or 200 points. To begin, shuffle the domino pieces and draw a hand, each player looking at their tiles carefully without revealing them to their opponent.
After drawing, the winner of the previous round may begin the new hand. If the game is blocked, players count the value of the dominoes left in their opponents’ hands and subtract that total from their own score. If the winning player’s score passes 101, they are declared the champion. Alternatively, the player with the highest double (or double free) begins play. Some rules also state that the player with the heaviest single starts.
Variations
The most common games use a standard double-six domino set. These tiles are twice as long as they are wide, and each side has a number of spots or pips. A tile with more pips is typically referred to as a heavy or heaviest, while one with fewer pips is lighter.
Many domino variations involve forming a line of dominoes in a turn-by-turn fashion. Some variants also require players to match the value of one of the open ends of their domino with that of the other end of the same domino, or a’spinner’.
In a game of Draw Dominoes, for example, players start by drawing domino halves from a boneyard until they can make a play. At the end of a turn, you score points if the exposed ends of all your dominoes add up to a multiple of five. You can also remove your marker from the train, which makes it public and stops other players from adding to it.
Materials
Throughout the history of domino, many different materials have been used. Some have been rigid, such as animal bones or ivory, and others have been molded or drilled to create a more decorative appearance. The most common material used in modern mass production is plastic.
In the 18th century, dominoes were made from slim, narrow pieces of bone or ivory that had an ebony layer glued on top. They were usually twice as long as they were wide and had a center line that divided the face into two square halves, each bearing an arrangement of dots (also known as pips) or blanks. Each side of a domino represented one of the 21 possible results of throwing two dice. The dominoes were then grouped into sets, which could be used for a variety of games. A 32-piece set was considered a full domino set. There were also smaller, more specialized dominoes for specific games. These were made from a more limited range of materials and had fewer options for color.
Scoring
The object of the game is to score points by placing dominoes in the chain so that the number of dots on the exposed ends totals a multiple of five. The first player to do this wins the round. During the game, players must keep track of outstanding tiles. They must also be able to deduce their opponent’s hand and anticipate their moves. Experienced players often take a partner.
There are many different variants of the game. Some require a special set of dominoes, which feature doubles and one’s. Others involve using a spinner, and the number of pips on each endpoint of the domino is counted.
A traditional domino set contains 28 pieces, each bearing from one to six pips or dots. These are used in various games, including blocking and scoring. There are even games of a completely different nature, such as solitaire and trick-taking. These are adaptations of card games and were once popular in some regions to circumvent religious prohibitions against playing cards.