Domino is a generic gaming device, similar to playing cards and dice, that can be used for many different types of games. The pieces are usually square and bear a pattern of dots, or “pips,” on one side, while the other is blank or identically patterned. Some pieces also have a line or ridge that separates the two sides, which is called a pip edge. Dominoes have been in use since the mid-18th century in Italy and France. The game’s popularity has spread worldwide, and there are now more than a hundred million domino sets in existence.
Most domino games involve positional play, in which each player in turn places a tile on the table positioning it edge to edge against another in a line of play that gradually increases in length. The dominos must be matched so that their matching ends are touching fully and the numbers showing on each end match up, except in the case of a double which can be played perpendicular to its partner. In some games, the blank or unmatched sides are made “wild” and ascribed any value, but for scoring purposes all points must be based on the matching end of the domino.
The ability to line up dominos in various ways enables the formation of intricate patterns. These can be curved lines, grids that form pictures when the dominoes fall, or 3-D structures such as towers and pyramids. A large set of dominoes can also be arranged to make a shape such as a heart or an airplane.
A basic strategy for winning domino is to count the number of total spots on all the dominoes in each opponent’s hand, and then score based on that amount. A player scores for each multiple of five in the opponents’ hand, plus one point for each open end on their own set. When a players’ remaining dominoes are all multiples of five, they win the game.
Domino’s Pizza, the world’s largest restaurant chain, has an unusual leadership structure that emphasizes the importance of standing out and being able to make decisions independently. The company is also very innovative and uses a number of different methods for improving their delivery service, including experimenting with drones for home deliveries.
The core game of domino is educational, as it helps develop children’s numeric patterns and problem solving skills. It is also a good way for children to develop their motor skills by working with small, precise movements while laying out the dominoes. Children can learn patience while assembling domino chains and even practice their artistic expression by designing patterns for their dominoes. Domino rallies kits, which do not include the dominoes with numeric markings, are also a great way for young children to practise colour recognition and artistic expression. Some artists have utilised the potential of domino to build elaborate mechanical devices, such as Rube Goldberg machines. The largest record for a domino sculpture was achieved in 2009 when artist Salima Peippo used 1,500 dominoes to create a sculpture at the WTC Expo hall in Leeuwarden.