Dominoes are small tile-like blocks that are stacked on end in long lines. They have a number of pips on one side and are blank or identically patterned on the other.
When the first domino is tipped, it causes the rest to fall. This chain reaction is called the domino effect.
Rules
Generally, domino is played with seven tiles. After shuffling, the players draw five each and start play. The player with the highest double starts the game, but other rules can apply. For example, the winner of a previous hand may decide to draw lots to determine who makes the first play.
Each turn, the player places a domino on the line of play. The domino must match its neighbours either on the sides or at the ends. If a domino can’t be joined it is marked as split. The player then scores the sum of the pips on the dominos remaining in other players’ hands.
Each round is played until one player’s score passes 101 points. The player who scored the most wins the game. Decide on a target score before starting. Most games are played until 100, 150 or 200 points. The player who has the least number of pips goes out. The player who went out scores the value of the dominos in other players’ hands.
Materials
Throughout the history of domino many different materials have been used in its manufacture. Each material has its own unique characteristics that can be exploited in different ways to make a particular set of dominoes. These can be broadly divided into categories of Raw Materials, Processed and Manufactured Materials.
European dominoes were originally made from bone (and ivory for wealthier players) and a dark wood such as ebony. The black dots were either drilled into the bone or inlaid from pieces of thin ebony.
A number of modern products are manufactured from plastic which has been processed from oil. The earliest type of modern plastic was a form of Bakelite which was invented in 1917. This was followed by a wide range of cheap black plastics known as Parkesine, Celluloid and Xylonite.
Some sets are manufactured from natural materials such as marble, soapstone and stone. These tend to be heavier than polymer dominoes and can feel more substantial in the hand. They can also be expensive.
Variations
There are a number of variations on domino games. These can include block domino games and scoring domino games. The rules of these games vary widely, but they all share the same basic objective: to be the first player to empty your hand.
The game can be played with any standard domino set. Traditional sets contain one unique piece for each combination of two ends with a value from zero to six. These pieces are known as doubles, and they may have a blank end or a variety of different pips.
Each domino has two open ends, which are called spots or pips. Each end of the tile has a different value, which determines how it matches with other dominoes. Each time the two open ends match, a player scores points. The first player to score 15 wins. The game is also commonly referred to as Mexican train because it is often played with a double-twelve or double-fifteen set.
Scoring
Dominoes are a classic children’s game that can be played in many different ways. Not only does it promote motor skills and provide an opportunity for creative play, but it also helps to develop a child’s imagination. Using the domino pieces in unique configurations allows children to make compositions that can’t be made with regular blocks, and this creativity can inspire them to try even more complex constructions.
While there are countless games to choose from, there are some common rules that must be followed when playing. For example, each player must keep a Board count and be careful not to draw if they are behind in points. The higher the Board count, the more potential scoring opportunities there are.
In some games, the Board count is kept on a scoreboard while others use a running total in each players hands. 5s and 3s, for example, is commonly used in British pubs and clubs and uses a counting system similar to cribbage.
