The domino effect is a concept that describes how a single small change can lead to a chain of related changes. It is often used in business and engineering to illustrate how certain actions can produce results that are unexpected and sometimes unpredicted.

Domino is a popular family game, where players try to collect pairs of matching tiles. In the United States, the most common domino set is a double-six with 28 tiles; other sets are available. In the game, each tile is marked with four pips that indicate the number of its value. The tiles are typically made of wood, but other materials have also been used.

Some modern dominoes use plastic, metal or ceramic clay in place of wood. Some are even made of frosted glass or crystal.

Regardless of the material, dominoes are played by placing the tiles in a grid on the table and drawing lines from one to the other. Each player takes turns, with the goal of collecting four pairs, or matching tiles, before anyone else has a turn. The first player to collect 50 points wins the game.

The earliest domino games were called draw games, where the tiles were drawn from a stock of seven, or double-six, tiles. Each player’s turn starts with one tile drawn from the stock, and each player extends a line of tiles to either end. In some games, the stock consists of all seven tiles and a line of five; in others it consists of one tile from each set.

In the early 1800s, dominoes grew in popularity throughout Italy, Austria, southern Germany and France. They were originally a game of pranks that involved playing cards against each other, but eventually evolved into an incredibly popular family game that is still played today.

A domino game uses a number of rules and pips on the tiles to indicate each value. A pair of matching tiles is worth a point, and each tile is scored as long as it matches the suit of its number. The pips are usually inlaid or painted. The most common pips in Europe are silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, and bone, but other materials have also been used.

The most important rule of the domino effect is that the dominoes need to be small and manageable. As you work to create a new habit, don’t make the mistake of trying to change too many things at once or focusing on the wrong parameters to measure your progress.

Instead, focus on one or two activities that will help you achieve your goals. When these tasks are complete, the energy you used to do them can be directed toward other projects.

This can be done by picking dominoes that have a positive impact on your other interests or by finding a project that you’re excited about. By concentrating on the right activities, you can build momentum and get more done in less time.