Domino is a game played with a set of small blocks, usually rectangular and marked with dots resembling those on dice. The dominoes are stacked on end in long lines, and when the first one falls over, it causes the next to tip and then the next after that until all the dominoes have fallen over. It is this type of game that gave rise to the term “domino effect,” which refers to a series of events that begin with a single, seemingly insignificant action but has large and sometimes dramatic consequences.
There are many different games that can be played with a domino set, and the rules of each may vary from place to place. Some of the more popular games include double-nine, double-eight, and double-six. Domino sets are also available in extended forms that include larger numbers of tiles on each end. These larger sets are often used to play more complex games that are difficult or impossible to make with the smaller standard sets.
In addition to being fun and educational, dominoes can be used to create artistic designs. They can be arranged into straight or curved lines, grids that form pictures when the dominoes fall, and even 3D structures like towers and pyramids. These designs can be as simple or elaborate as the user wants, and they are often accompanied by music or other sounds to enhance the visual effect.
Whether the user is an amateur woodworker or an experienced professional, the construction of a domino can be a challenge because there are so many details to take into consideration. The smallest mistake can cause a domino to topple over and then break, resulting in a mess of pieces that must be cleaned up and rearranged. To make a domino look good, the craftsman must be careful to use high-quality materials and to follow precise construction instructions.
Hevesh, who builds many of the more complicated domino sets, follows a version of the engineering-design process when creating her works. She begins with a general theme or purpose, brainstorms images or words that might be related to it, and then outlines a plan. She then calculates how much of each domino is needed to construct the design.
Once the plan is in place, the construction begins. Hevesh works carefully to ensure that the dominoes fit together perfectly. The resulting design must be very stable to avoid a domino collapse, and it is often reinforced with tape or other materials to help it stay put.
When the dominoes are ready to be used, the player draws the number of tiles specified in the rules for that game and then places them in front of himself. Depending on the game, this first tile may be called the set, the down, or the lead. It is this tile that determines who will make the first play of a domino.
Once the domino is in place, the player then proceeds to add more tiles from his hand. He may pass a turn or buy a domino from the stock, a collection of spare tiles that are not yet in play (see Passing and Byeing). The player must also consider the other players’ hands and be careful not to play a domino that would result in an unfavorable score for his team.