Domino is a game in which the players place dominoes on a table so that one end of each domino touches the adjacent end of another domino. The resulting chain of dominoes forms the layout, string, or line of play. The line of play can be joined by tiles with the same number or by those with matching numbers. Depending on the rules of the game, dominoes may be played lengthwise or crosswise across the line.

A player begins a turn by drawing a domino from the stock. The player who draws the heaviest tile, whether a double or single, makes the first play. If a tie exists, it is broken by drawing new dominoes until a single player has the heaviest tile in hand. Often, the number of pips on each domino is printed on its edge. Some large sets use more readable Arabic numerals to avoid confusion between similar-looking dominoes.

As each player makes a play, the resulting domino chain develops a snake-line shape according to the whims of the players and the limitations of the playing surface. A player is not allowed to play a tile that will cause the adjacent ends of the existing chain to touch. If a player cannot make a play, he may knock or rap the table, and the next player becomes the active player.

The rules of domino games can vary considerably, but most fit into four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games, and round games. In bidding games, a domino with more pips than another has the higher value. Blocking games involve placing a tile between two other dominoes to prevent them from being played. Scoring games count the total number of pips on the remaining tiles in each losing player’s hands. In most cases, the winning player is determined by counting the total number of pips on both ends of a domino that is played to a double.

In the early 17th century, the word “domino” was used to describe both a type of hooded cape worn at carnival season or at a masquerade and a black mask that was placed over a white surplice by priests in church. By the late 18th century, the word had come to be used primarily in reference to the domino pieces.

When writing a novel, each scene is like a domino, and the story unfolds from one scene to the next. It is important to consider the domino effect in your novel because it can help you develop a clear and compelling plot. Whether you compose your manuscript off the cuff or carefully plan each scene, the success of your story will ultimately depend on how well you connect each scene to the next. The idea behind the domino effect is that a scene’s impact on the rest of the story will be as powerful or even more powerful than any single element. The following tips will help you incorporate the domino effect into your writing.