Domino is the name of a game involving a series of rectangular tiles with a pattern of spots resembling those on dice. They are usually played on a flat surface, often the floor, and the goal is to make them fall in a specified order. The first player to do so wins. The individual dominoes are called tiles, bones, spinners, tickets, or tickets, and they form the building blocks of a variety of games for two or more players. Some games involve scoring points, while others have more of a competitive element.

The most common domino game requires a double-six set, which contains 28 tiles. These are shuffled and then drawn at random from the stock (also called the boneyard) by each player, who may have up to seven tiles in his or her hand at any one time. The tiles must be placed on-edge, meaning that the exposed ends match up to create a line of play.

Each tile has a square face divided into halves, with the identifying marks on only one half; the other is blank or identically patterned. The spots on a domino are sometimes referred to as pips because they resemble the dots on dice.

Dominos are usually made of wood or plastic, but some are made from other materials such as cardboard or even paper. They can be purchased in sets of varying sizes, from small to large. The smaller sets typically consist of a single row of ten or twelve dominoes, while larger sets can have several rows and even be built into 3D structures.

While the game of domino is a popular pastime, it also has practical applications, especially in risk analysis and business planning. A domino effect is a phenomenon that occurs when one action causes an immediate shift in related actions and processes. For example, a person who decides to exercise regularly and spend less time on sedentary activities is likely to lose weight as a result of his or her change in behavior.

The Domino Effect is a useful concept to consider when analyzing a project, since it can help you break down the process into smaller steps that are easier to manage. In this way, you can identify the good dominoes—those tasks that contribute to a larger goal and will have a positive impact if they are completed.

For example, if you want to start exercising and spending more time with your family, you might break down the overall goal of getting healthy into good dominoes like creating a fitness plan, buying a gym membership, and cooking healthier meals at home. Then you can focus on the specific tasks that will help you achieve your goals and work them into your schedule.