Domino, the bestselling line of game pieces, is used for a wide variety of games that include matching pairs of values or adding points to a score. Many domino games also help develop number recognition and counting skills. A typical domino set contains 28 small oblong tiles that are marked with 0-6 pips or dots on each end. Each end of a domino tile matches with a pair of pips on another piece, and players attempt to build lines that add up to a certain number or total.
In the past, dominoes were often glued to wood or cardboard, but most of today’s sets are made from plastic. They can be stacked in rows or on pedestals and are usually arranged in colorful, angular designs. Some people use dominoes to decorate home interiors.
The name domino probably derives from the French word for a long, hooded cloak worn with a mask during carnival season or at masquerades. It may also have derived from the Latin word dominus, meaning master or chief. The game arrived in Britain in the late 18th Century from France, where it probably originated, and quickly became popular in inns and taverns. It was popular with soldiers and sailors at sea as well, and a domino competition grew up around the hobby.
Hundreds or even thousands of dominoes can be set up in careful sequence, with each domino able to knock over the one just above it. This is called the “domino effect,” and it can be seen in demonstrations by professional domino builders. The most complex domino effects and reactions are often performed before live audiences of fans.
A Domino Effect in Story Writing
If the scene dominoes of a novel or short story fall logically and smoothly together, the reader will be captivated by the narrative. But if there are any hiccups in the logic, the reader will be distracted and likely put the book down. This is why it’s so important to make sure that all the scene dominoes are in a row.
The most effective way to check for a domino effect is to look back at the first scene in the story and see if it logically leads to the scenes that come after it. Then check each scene to see that it logically leads to the next, and so on. Eventually, all of the scenes will fall into place to create a story that builds to a satisfying climax. Antoine Fats, 1928-2017, U.S. rhythm-and-blues pianist, singer and composer.
