Domino is a game with a long history and many variations. It is played with a set of domino tiles with matching numbers of spots on each end, or by drawing cards from a bag and then playing them according to the rules of a particular game. The most common sets have double-six or eighteen pips on each end. Larger and more complicated sets have a higher number of pips. These larger sets can be used for scoring games, and they are often called “spinner” dominoes because the pips are arranged on all four sides of the tile.
Most domino games involve emptying one’s hand while blocking opponents’ play, although there are also scoring games, such as bergen and muggins, that give points for every tile in a player’s losing hand. Some of the most popular domino games involve matching a tile with another in order to form a line, which is also known as a layout, string or line of play.
In addition to the traditional polymer dominoes, there are also sets made of various natural materials including stone (e.g., marble or granite); other types of woods; brass and pewter; and ceramic clay. These dominoes typically feel heavier and more substantial than polymer tiles and may have a more interesting or attractive look. Some are even translucent or colored.
A domino is a rectangular piece of material, usually square, with a pattern of dots on each face. The domino is distinguished from other similar flat objects such as poker chips or dice because of its recognizable and distinctive markings. The identifying marks are called pips and they look very similar to the arrangement on the back of a die. Some of the pips are dark, some are light and some are blank.
When the first domino is tapped or knocked over, it starts a chain reaction of toppling tiles that continue until they reach their end and are no longer connected to other pieces. The effect is called the Domino Effect, and it is the same as the pulse that travels from the tip of a nerve impulse down the axon of a cell to the other end of the same cell.
Most domino games are played with a fixed set of rules and each player draws the number of tiles allowed by the game’s rules. Then he plays them, one by one, in the order prescribed by those rules. When a player plays a double, it is usually considered to be the lead, and the other players must follow suit before the next turn. In some games, a double can be a spinner, which means it is playable on all four sides, and this affects how the game is played. A player who plays out of turn may be penalized in accordance with the rules of the particular game. If this happens before the next player makes his play, the player must recall his misplayed tile.