Domino is a game that involves putting down tiles that match each other in a line. The first player to get rid of all their tiles wins the game. Players score points based on the number of pips on opposing player’s end tiles.
The domino effect is much more powerful than people realize. A single domino can knock over objects one-and-a-half times its size.
Origin
Domino is a mutant who uses probability-altering powers to work for mercenary groups like the Six Pack and X-Force. She’s also fought against super-villains like Stryfe and Mister Sinister.
The word “domino” derives from the Latin dominus, which means master or lord. It may have also been inspired by the hooded cape with black and white lining worn by French priests or a half-mask used in ancient China.
The game of dominoes was introduced to England in the late 1700s, possibly via French prisoners. It soon became popular in inns and taverns. The name has since remained in use for games that require positioning multiple pieces side to side or against one another. The term has even been applied to people, places and products that impart a sense of leadership and expertise.
Rules
Domino is a game that is played with a large set of dominoes. The rules vary from one game to another. However, most of them are similar and many have the same objective. Players take turns placing dominoes in a line, joining them when the ends match (ones touch one’s and twos touch two’s). Doubles can be joined on the sides instead of the ends. When the score of a player is higher than that of his opponents, that player is declared the winner.
The game is over when one player empties his hand or when no players can make a move. The winner receives points based on the total value of the opponent’s remaining dominoes. The scoring is done by counting the number of open dots on a domino and dividing it by five.
Variations
There are many variants of domino, with different rules and objectives. The most common are shedding games, in which the objective is to empty your hand or minimise the number of unplayed tiles you have when play ends. Other variants focus on scoring specific configurations of tiles in the layout. These include games in which the pips on the exposed halves of a single domino are distributed differently.
One popular variation is Mexican train, which uses a double-twelve or double-fifteen set. Players place their tiles to create a “train” extending outward from the center of the table. Each time the open ends of a tile match another, players score two points. Players who cannot play a tile must draw from the boneyard until they find a match.
Materials
Having the right domino gear can make all the difference in a game. From a sturdy table to the right set of dominoes, having the proper equipment can ensure that you have a great time playing. A few accessories can also help make the experience even more enjoyable.
Dominoes are small, flat, rectangular game pieces that have been made from many different materials over the centuries. They are typically twice as long as they are wide and feature a line across the middle to divide them into two squares. Each side has a number of spots, called pips, that indicate its value. The absence of pips indicates that the domino is blank or zero.
In the early 20th century, a manmade material called Bakelite was invented. It was a hard, resilient plastic that was similar to celluloid and was used for a variety of items including dominoes.
Scoring
Domino has a special ability that allows her to predict the outcome of an action. This unconsciously controlled talent is triggered whenever she is in a stressful situation. It was first used in Civil War: X-men #1, when she caused lightning to strike two sentinels.
In most domino games, players score by making the total number of pips on each endpoint of the layout add up to a multiple of five. The player who goes out wins additional points based on the value of remaining dominoes in opponents’ hands.
After the shuffle, players draw dominoes from a pool and establish who will start play. The person with the highest double starts, or a player holding a domino with the largest number of pips if there is no double.
