A domino is a small, rectangular-shaped game piece that has been made in a variety of materials over the centuries. Each domino is usually twice as long as it is wide, and each side of the domino has a set of numbers. These numbers, called pips, are used to identify the domino in the various types of domino games played.
A set of domino pieces is typically organized into suits, with each suit containing a specific number of pips. For example, a domino with three pips on one half and five on the other is part of the “3” suit. A domino with two pips on both sides is part of the “2” suit. In addition, a single domino can be categorized as a combination domino, with a different number of pips on each of the two halves of the domino’s face.
The most common type of domino set sold today contains 28 tiles. Larger sets exist for use with multiple players and for those who like to play domino games that involve lengthy chains of dominoes.
In a domino game, each player takes turns playing a domino onto the table, positioning it so that the pips on the end of the domino match those in their opponent’s hand. If the player plays a domino that does not match any existing pips, they must “knock” or rap the table to pass play to their opponent.
Unlike a deck of cards, each domino is a distinct piece with its own set of rules. Domino is most commonly played with a standard set of 28 dominoes, but larger sets are available to accommodate more players and for longer games. The most popular games of domino fall into two categories: blocking games and scoring games.
As a writer, incorporating the domino effect into your story can help readers understand the logic behind a character’s actions, or in some cases, justify immoral behavior. For example, if your hero shoots someone, you must provide the reader with enough information about the hero’s character to give him the benefit of the doubt or make the immoral act acceptable.
Domino is also useful when you’re composing a scene, and the question arises: What happens next? If you can think of a way to describe the actions of your characters in a domino-like fashion, it may be easier to plot your story and ensure that all of your scenes flow smoothly.
While a single domino can be moved by gravity and friction, the majority of the energy in a domino chain comes from its own mass. The top of a domino rubs against the bottom of a neighboring domino, creating friction that converts some of its potential energy into heat and sound. Eventually, the entire row of dominoes can tumble down. This is the domino effect, and it’s an essential component of many types of games that rely on the principle of the chain reaction. The same effect can be seen when you flick a domino on its edge and watch it fall in a cascade of pieces, as in a game of domino rally.
