Domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block, blank on one side and marked by an arrangement of dots resembling those on dice. A domino set usually consists of 28 pieces; larger sets may contain more. The earliest known set was made in China, around the 12th or 13th century. The word domino was borrowed from French in the 18th century, although it had earlier denoted a hooded robe worn with an eye mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. The domino theory, a political concept that predicted how countries would react to events, was named after the domino effect, which describes how a single event can cause a chain reaction affecting many other people and things.

Dominoes are frequently used as building blocks to create artistic displays. A famous example was the giant set that former Polish president Lech Walesa toppled in 2009 for a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Other artists construct elaborate mechanical devices called domino rallies that are triggered by remote control to produce a domino-like cascade of movement.

When domino is played, each player has a hand of dominoes, which are arranged so that the first tile plays to the left of the opening double and produces open ends on both sides of the line. Other tiles are then placed horizontally or vertically to the right of or to the left of the opening tile, depending on a particular game’s rules. As the dominoes are placed, they build up a snake-line shape across the table.

In most games, each player scores points for laying dominoes and the game continues until one player chips out (plays his last domino). The winner is the partner whose combined total of the pips on opposing players’ remaining tiles is the lowest. The earliest dominoes were marked with the values of six and five (representing the two numbers that result from throwing a die), but today they are typically marked with an arrangement of spots on one side and a blank or identically patterned face on the other.

When Hevesh starts a domino construction, she places the largest 3-D sections first. She then adds flat arrangements and finally lines of dominoes that connect all the sections together. Before she begins a sequence, she test-runs each individual section to ensure it works properly. This way, she can make precise adjustments if necessary. Her work is often filmed in slow motion so that she can see the dominoes as they move. She also uses a computer program that shows her the effect of each individual domino on the whole installation. The point is to get all the pieces in place so that they fall neatly and rhythmically when pushed. Writers who understand how to use the domino effect in their stories can help readers to keep reading until the final climax.

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It seems to be very easy – you just have to beat the dealer without going over 21. But it’s not so simple and there are some rules that you should know before playing this game.

Unlike other casino card games, blackjack is played between the player and the dealer. Players are dealt two cards each, face up, and the dealer has a single card face down. The aim of the player is to finish the round with a higher total than that of the dealer, but without going over 21, which is known as busting. The player may also choose to take insurance in which case they pay half of their original bet if the dealer has an Ace showing.

In the casino, blackjack is usually played on a semi-circular table that can accommodate varying numbers of players. The number of players is indicated on a small disc in the center of the table (these are called spots). Some tables have only 5 or 7 spots, while others can have 12 or even more. Each spot is marked with a red or blue circle. Players place their bets on these circles, and the dealer stands behind the table and chip rack.

The game is usually played with one to eight decks of 52 cards. The cards have different values, ranging from 2 to 10, and the face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10 points. An ace can count as either 1 or 11, as the owner desires. The highest hand is a blackjack, which pays out 3 to 2. In some casinos, the payout for blackjack is reduced to 6 to 5.

Once all players have completed their actions, the dealer will reveal her card. If she has a ten underneath, she has a blackjack and the players lose their original bets. Then she will collect all of the chips, shuffle them and start a new round. If the dealer does not have a blackjack, the players push.

Some casinos offer a side bet that pays if the player has an Ace in their first two cards, called Lucky Ladies. This bet is not required to play blackjack, but it can increase your winnings significantly if you win.

Blackjack is a game of luck, but there are some solid bits of mathematics that can help you turn the odds in your favor. For example, a computer analysis shows that for every possible combination of your hand and the dealer’s, there is a specific move that maximizes your probability of winning. Learn to make these moves, and you’ll be well on your way to a good win. In addition, learning to count cards can give you an edge in blackjack that will not only increase your chances of winning but also lower your risk of losing. Counting cards is an art form that takes time to master, but it is possible for most players.