Domino is a common game used in many cultures and is similar to playing cards or dice. A domino is a small, flat rectangular block, typically made of wood or bone.
In the most basic games, a domino is matched edge to edge against another in such a way that the adjacent faces are either identical (e.g., 5 to 5) or form some specified total.
Origin
Dominoes are a type of game with small flat tiles that contain one or more dots on each end. They can be used in a variety of ways to create different games.
Although they originated in China, dominoes are widely played all over the world. The origin of the game is not known for sure, but it is likely that they were invented by a number of different cultures at different times in history.
The markings on the dominoes, known as pips, originally represented the results of throwing two six-sided dice. European dominoes differed from the Chinese versions by adding seven additional pieces–six representing the values attained by throwing a single die with the other half of the tile left blank, and one representing the blank-blank (0-0) combination.
Rules
The rules of domino vary from game to game. They usually involve the number of players, how the tiles are dealt and the layout of the playing area.
In a standard drawing game, if a player ends his turn with the open ends of the layout totaling a multiple of five, he scores points. This is known as the “muggins” rule.
The rules of domino games may be very complex and confusing. This is why it is important to understand them before you begin playing.
Variations
Dominoes are a type of game similar to playing cards. They are marked with an arrangement of spots (pips), like those on a die, but some squares are blank or have identical markings on both sides.
They come in various sets, most commonly a double-six set of 28 dominoes. Some are double-nine or double-twelve sets and some have duplicates of some throws.
Most games start with a player placing a single domino edge to edge against another domino. Whether they match or not depends on the rules of the game.
In certain variants, a domino can serve as a “spinner.” This means that new dominoes can be played on all four sides of the spinner. This can create an interesting line of play and add extra value to the game.
Materials
Dominoes, also called bones, cards, men, or pieces, are small rectangular tiles with dots (pips) on one side. These tiles are usually twice as long as they are wide, which makes them easier to re-stack after use.
Traditionally, dominoes are white or black with zero to six pips, although they can be found in other color combinations. The most common sets of dominoes include double-six and double-nine.
Ideally, dominoes should be made of plastic, which is sturdy and durable enough to build all types of domino constructions. However, plastic is also expensive and a little heavy, which might be undesirable for some domino toppling projects.
Scoring
The standard scoring system for dominoes is based on the number of dots on each exposed end (the initial domino, two ends on a spinner, and the end of the main line). When the pips of all these tiles add up to any multiple of five, the player wins that many points.
In addition to this system of scoring, some players prefer to count the pips in the remaining dominoes in their hands at the end of the hand. This allows for a more accurate and reliable score to be made.
In order to keep the game flowing, it is important to organize your dominoes. This is done by placing them in a way that allows you to chain them together. As you come across dominoes that do not connect to any of your own, set them aside until you have a use for them.