Domino is a type of tile that features an arrangement of spots or dots. Each domino has two identical or opposite numbered sides. These numbered sides are called ends, and the number on an end determines its value. The values of the ends range from six pips to none or blank. Dominos are normally twice as long as they are wide. They are often stacked on top of each other and can form structures like towers or pyramids.
The most basic game of domino requires two players. Each player begins with 28 dominoes, which are placed in a pile on the table known as the stock or boneyard. The first player then plays one of their dominoes, placing it on the table so that its end matches the number of pips on an end of the previously-played domino. Then, the other player tries to match the same number with their own domino. The first player to do this wins the game.
There are many different games that can be played with dominoes, and the rules of each differ from one to the next. Some games involve blocking other players’ play, while others are scoring games in which the total number of pips on a defeated player’s tiles determines the winner. Still others are adaptations of card games that were once popular to circumvent religious prohibitions against the playing of cards.
While many people use domino to build intricate curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or other 3D structures, the most common use of these flat, rectangular pieces is for playing games. The earliest records of domino come from China, and a stateman is credited with having presented them to the Emperor Hui Tsung in 1120 CE. In the west, dominoes were introduced by French prisoners toward the end of the 18th century.
Domino is an excellent way to practice math and motor skills, while also having fun. In fact, domino is used in some schools as a tool for teaching kids about number recognition and multiplication. Some games even help children learn to tell time and count money.
The most common domino set is the double-6, and most domino games are designed to be played with this. However, larger sets such as the double-9, -12, and -15 sets can be used to play games that are a bit more complex.
When a domino falls, it releases kinetic energy that flows to the next domino, which in turn provides the push needed to knock over that domino. This cycle continues until the last domino is overturned, creating a chain reaction of dominoes that can be as simple or complex as desired. The process of creating such a setup is similar to that of an engineering design project. When Hevesh starts creating one of her mind-blowing domino setups, she follows a variation on this process. She begins by considering the theme or purpose of the installation and brainstorming images or words she might want to use.