Domino is a game in which players place a rectangular domino-like tile on a table. They then push another domino, called a pawn, on top of it. The pawn may be either a single tile or a group of tiles that add up to a specific number, such as a double-six. The first player to play a tile that matches one of the ends of the domino chain that is already on the table wins. The dominoes may be arranged in lines, curved lines, or grids that form pictures when they fall. They can also be stacked in 3D structures such as towers or pyramids.
The word “domino” is Latin for “falling down.” It’s been used in many contexts, including in the names of several cities and towns, such as Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can also use it in phrases, such as “The domino effect,” which describes the way that one event can trigger a series of related events.
You’ve probably seen videos of someone lining up a long chain of dominoes and then knocking them all over. But did you know that dominoes have a purpose beyond being a fun hobby or entertainment? Dominoes are also important tools for scientists studying nerve cells, known as neurons. Neurons are the building blocks of our brains and bodies, and they send messages throughout our body to control things like muscle movement and memory. Dominoes are an easy-to-use model that helps scientists study how these neurons work together to create complex movements and feelings.
Dominoes are made of ceramic or wood, and they have a small round end that allows them to stand on edge. Each domino has a value printed or engraved on one side and blank on the other. The values on each side range from one to six dots or pips, and 28 of these rectangular pieces make up a complete set. Dominoes are also sometimes called bones, cards, chips, men, tiles, or spinners.
During the game, each player draws seven dominoes for their hand and then places them on the table, positioning them so that their matching ends touch. As the dominoes are played, they become part of a growing chain that develops snake-line patterns as it grows. Each time a tile is played, it must touch the end of the chain that is already on the table (unless it is a double, which must be placed perpendicularly to a double).
The largest domino sets have between 55 and 91 tiles. Larger sets have fewer identical ends, making it easier for players to identify the domino they need from the ones in their hand. Most dominoes have numbers written on them, but some have a picture instead of the numbers.