Domino is a small rectangular block, usually white and black, that has a surface bearing a number of dots resembling those on dice. It is one of a set of small wooden or plastic blocks, generally 28 in number, that form the basis for a variety of games played by two or more players. They are also sometimes referred to as bones, tiles, stones, or spinners.
There are many different types of domino games, but most involve a player or pair of players placing their tiles end to end in rows or columns so that the exposed ends match (one’s touching one’s, two’s touching two’s, etc). Then they attempt to knock down all of the other dominoes in the line before they. The first person to complete their play wins the game.
When a player can’t play a domino, they “chip out” and the turn passes to their opponent. In some games, a player can continue to chip out until both players can no longer play. Then, the winner is the player with the fewest total points of all their tiles remaining.
Dominoes can be made of a variety of materials, including bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, and dark hardwoods such as ebony. They can be painted or glazed with bright colors, or they may have a more traditional look. They can be engraved with Arabic numerals or, for a modern look, with contrasting black or white pips.
One of the most common uses for a domino is as a teaching tool. The story of the domino effect is a popular example of this, and it can help explain how events can be affected by the actions of others. A teacher or counselor might use a domino to illustrate the impact of one’s choices on those around him.
Another way to use domino is in the creation of art. Artists who work with dominoes can create beautiful, curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or even 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. When planning out a domino art piece, artists often follow a version of the engineering-design process. They begin by considering the theme or purpose of the piece, then brainstorming images or words that might be represented.
In business, a company can use the domino effect to encourage its employees and create a positive workplace culture. One of the ways this can be done is by listening to employee feedback and implementing changes accordingly. Domino’s CEO, Brandon Doyle, has used this method to improve the company’s culture and win several Top Workplace awards.
When creating a scene in a novel, a writer can think of each piece as a domino that needs to fall for the scene to be effective. When a writer understands the power of domino effects, they can use them to add depth to their stories and keep their readers engaged.
