Domino is a game in which players set up a series of dominoes, then flip one to trigger a chain reaction that falls over the other tiles. The process can involve hundreds or even thousands of dominoes.
Good Dominoes are tasks that contribute to a larger goal and have a positive impact on the future. They should be challenging, but not impossible, to complete.
Origins
The word domino comes from the Latin word dominus, meaning lord or master. It has long been associated with power and authority, which Domino certainly possesses.
She has a natural ability to alter the laws of probability to give herself good luck in combat and other stressful situations. This effect is unconsciously triggered by her brain and can range from making an enemy’s equipment malfunction to averting death by lightning.
After assassinating Flagsmasher in Rumekistan, she left Six Pack and joined X-Force on Providence for some time. She later took on the name of Ekatarina Gryaznova to join a fanatical group of quasi-priests and then reformed with Grizzly and Hammer. She also reformed with Cable in search of the Weapon X program and its secret Neverland base.
Rules
There are many variations to the rules of domino, but most involve blocking one’s opponent and scoring based on the number of dots left in the losing players’ hands. After the tiles are shuffled, each player draws a domino from the stock and makes the first play according to the rules of the game.
In some games, a domino may be “byed” from the stock if it matches the player’s hand. Players are allowed 15 seconds to make a play, and it is the responsibility of each player to notice when another player has a playable domino and pass.
Before playing, a player should thoroughly mix the dominoes by shuffling them on a flat surface and then arranging them so that the ends of each double match. Players then stand the dominoes on edge facing them so their opponents cannot see them.
Variations
Domino has the ability to subliminally generate a psionic aura that alters probability in her favor, causing improbable events to happen within her line of sight. This can range from an enemy’s equipment malfunction to hitting just the right button to shut down a dangerous reactor.
Domino plays a game of matador, a variation of domino that uses curved tiles and rules for the line of play. In this version, a double domino with the same value on both ends can act as a “spinner,” allowing new tiles to be played on all three open sides.
The player with the most points left at the end of a round is the winner. Typically this is the player who has not blocked the other players and who holds the highest number of pairs.
Materials
Dominoes are small, flat, rectangular-shaped game pieces that are traditionally twice as long as they are wide and can be made from a variety of materials. They are usually distinguished by a line across their face that visually divides it into two square halves, with one side bearing an arrangement of spots (also known as pips) and the other blank or identically patterned.
In the early 20th century a form of plastic called bakelite was invented that was used for many domino products before being replaced by modern petroleum-based plastics. More recently, wood has become the most popular material for dominoes.
Stone dominoes are also available, offering a more luxurious and elegant look that can add a special touch to a gaming table. However, they are generally more expensive than other types of dominoes.
Scoring
Domino is a powerful marksman with extensive training in various weapons and martial arts. She has a keen sense of luck and a natural reflex that augments her abilities in combat.
When a player cannot play they must knock and the turn passes to the next player. When a player has all of their dominoes out they win the round. The winning player then calculates the value of all of the opposing players dominoes left in their hands.
In the basic set of 28 dominoes, a double is worth eight points while a two is worth two points. Each player then counts the number of dots in the open ends of all the dominoes that are played – adding the value of any doubles to this total.
