Domino is a type of gaming system that allows players to construct elaborate and interesting layouts. It is also used to play a variety of games, including positional and scoring. Players draw domino tiles and then place them edge to edge on the table. The top of each tile features a number of dots, or pips, that identify the domino’s value and suit. Each player then plays a domino of their choice, which typically requires a matching value on the edge of the adjacent domino. As each domino is played, it converts much of its potential energy into kinetic energy, the energy of motion. This energy is then transferred to the next domino, often providing the push needed to knock it over. This process continues until the last domino falls.
Whenever you hear the phrase, “domino effect,” you probably think of a chain reaction that starts when one domino is knocked over and then triggers several other events. It is a good way to explain how something that began small can quickly become big and widespread.
The domino effect is sometimes used in business to describe a series of events that occur due to an initial event, or precipitating factor. For example, a soccer team’s winning one game can create a domino effect of additional wins that eventually leads them to the state championship. Similarly, an individual who is able to get through a difficult situation can create a domino effect of positive change in his or her life.
When Hevesh begins a new domino project, she starts by considering the theme or purpose of the installation. She then brainstorms images or words that might be relevant to the theme. She may also research images of dominos to inspire her design. Once she has a concept in mind, Hevesh uses the engineering-design process to build her layout.
Hevesh’s designs aren’t just mind-blowing, they’re educational as well. The layouts she builds are a great example of the principle that “small steps lead to big changes.”
In addition, her work shows how you can break down a complicated task into smaller tasks that have an equal impact. For example, a task such as creating a financial plan could be broken down into several good dominoes, including outlining finances, developing a budget, and executing that plan.
The most common set of dominoes consists of 28 tiles with pips in the shapes of circles, triangles, or squares. Larger sets exist, and some dominoes are even designed with a different number of pips. Larger sets are often used to play positional games, where each player places a tile in turn and then moves the other players’ tiles around until the entire layout is complete. After the tiles are arranged, the first player (determined by drawing lots or by the heaviest hand) plays the first domino. Other players then follow in order of their heaviest hand, playing any matching dominoes on the edge of the other player’s tile. The remainder of the tiles are then placed in a collection area, called the boneyard.