Domino is a generic term for a type of gaming device used to play a wide variety of games. Like playing cards or dice, dominoes have identifying marks on one side and are blank on the other. Most domino sets are marked with an arrangement of dots, or pips, which are organized into suits (e.g., threes or fives). The suit of a domino indicates the number of pips it has on each side.
The most common domino set has 28 tiles, which allows for two players and a few different types of game play. Larger sets exist but are not as commonly used. Dominoes are most often used for positional games, where a player places a tile edge-to-edge against another so that the adjacent pips form either an identical pair (e.g., 5 to 5) or a specified total (e.g., 12 to 15).
Aside from positioning a domino, which is determined by the rules of the specific game being played, there are a few other things that make up an enjoyable round of domino. For example, a domino can only be placed so that its matching end is touching an adjacent domino with an open side. Depending on the rules of the game, this may be either a square or a cross-way connection. Furthermore, a double can be placed straddling the end of a domino with an open side — this will result in the development of a snake-line based on the whims of the game participants.
According to physicist Stephen Morris, when a domino is standing upright it has potential energy. This potential energy is based on the fact that it’s up against gravity, and when it falls much of this energy is converted into kinetic energy as other dominoes topple.
As a consequence, the physics of the domino effect can be applied to any situation in which a small trigger causes a series of events. A well-known example is the domino principle, first articulated by journalist Alsop in a 1957 political column when describing President Eisenhower’s decision to offer aid to South Vietnam. Alsop argued that if one country in the chain of events received aid, the others would follow suit.
When it comes to work, the domino effect is often applied to a team’s organizational structure. One way to achieve this is through a process called task ranking. Developed by steel executive Schwab, the process involves selecting the most important tasks for the day and placing them in order of importance. The most important tasks receive the highest level of attention, and Schwab encouraged his employees to focus on those until they are completed.
Another popular approach to organizing tasks is through a tool known as the Eisenhower Box. This tool helps managers identify the most important priorities for a given period of time and assign them to team members with varying levels of authority. This tool can help organizations manage and prioritize their workloads to maximize productivity.