A domino is a small rectangular block of wood or plastic, the face of which is blank or marked with dots that resemble those on dice. It is used to play games in which players try to make lines of dominoes that are either complete or can be joined by other pieces. The number of pieces in a domino set is fixed, although different sets have slightly different rules for making the most complete lines. The word is also used as a verb meaning “to set” or “to place down” the first domino in a game and as a noun referring to any of the many games played with them.
The most common dominoes are made of ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony, with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on them. They may also be made of ceramic clay or even frosted glass. Some sets are made of materials with a natural look and feel, such as marble, granite, or soapstone. They are often heavier and more expensive than those made of polymer materials.
There are many types of domino games, and the rules for each are usually written down in a rule book. Some rules require that the first player to have a double or a spinner play it in order to begin the game, and some games require that the highest domino in the hand of the player who began the game makes the first move.
In some games, the dominoes are arranged in a stack called a boneyard. Then, as each player plays a tile, it is added to the boneyard until someone has enough dominoes to begin a line that will match that of the previous piece. In some games, this process is called a count.
Another way to determine the initial domino to be played is to draw from the stock after it has been shuffled. The player who draws the tile with the most pips takes the seat to the right of the player holding the next-heaviest tile. If a tie exists, it is broken by drawing new tiles from the stock. The new tiles are then returned to the stock and reshuffled before the players draw their hands.
Sometimes, a player draws more dominoes for his hand than he is entitled to. This is called an overdraw. The player must not look at the extra dominoes and should return them to the stock before he draws again.
Some of the more popular domino games include Draw, Set, and Move, which are played with one or more pairs of dominoes that must be lined up in a row to win. Some of these are played on the floor with a scoreboard or on a tabletop. Other games are played on a computer or other electronic devices. Many people enjoy playing these games in their free time, while others compete in domino shows where builders construct remarkable lines and effects of dominoes.