Domino is a board game in which the object is to score points by laying tiles end-to-end on a rectangular board. Each domino has a set of identifying marks, called spots or pips, and is blank or identically patterned on the other side. Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide and can be stacked on top of each other. In some games, the pips indicate the rank of the tile and may be used to distinguish between two matching tiles.
The term domino is also used to describe a sequence of events that continues until stopped. This is often referred to as the domino effect and it is a common metaphor for describing how one small event can have far-reaching consequences. The idiom is so popular that the phrase has even made its way into the English language dictionary, with the word appearing in the entry for “cascade.”
In most forms of the game, each player draws a number of tiles for their hand and then lays them down so that their open ends match the pip count of an existing tile on the board. The resulting line of play is called the layout, string or line of play. If a player can’t make another play, they must draw new tiles and the game is blocked until someone else can lay a tile they can match.
Players may agree to use different rules to determine who starts the first turn in a given game of domino. For example, the player with the highest double in their hand may be allowed to start the game. Other rules require that the player with the heaviest tile begins play.
In some games, the goal of the game is to block the opponent from scoring by limiting the amount of available tiles. This is known as a “score.” The goal of most other domino games is to beat your opponent by reaching a certain score. Some games may allow players to add their scores to those of their opponents after each turn.
A variation on the domino game involves building a tall tower of dominoes and then knocking it over. This is a great group game that can lead to loud shouts of delight and surprise. This version is especially fun to play outdoors, where the towers can become very tall indeed.
The DF 500 and the DF 700 are both capable of cutting dominoes using a saw, but there are significant differences between the two models. The difference lies in the mortise size and depth of cut. Depending on the application for which the machine will be used, these factors should be taken into consideration when choosing the correct model. For instance, when cutting dominoes for a structural joint, the DF 700 requires a deeper mortise than does the DF 500. In addition, the DF 700 has a larger work table for handling longer pieces. This will be of particular benefit when creating large furniture that requires dominoes with a longer mortise.