Domino is a game in which players place dominoes on the table in a line or other arrangement. The first player then places a domino that has either a number showing on one of its ends or a cross (depending on the game) against any other existing dominoes or their own. Each subsequent player must either play a tile that matches the previous one or knock it off the board to pass play to another player. The domino chain grows and, if played correctly, can result in an impressive display of skill and luck.
The concept of Domino was originally developed in Italy and France in the mid-18th century. The earliest dominoes were made of wood or clay, but modern versions are typically produced in plastic. Each domino has a square, rectangular or round shape and is marked on one side with an arrangement of dots, known as “pips,” that are similar to those on a die. The other side of each domino is blank or identically patterned. Dominoes are generally made in sets of twenty-four, although extended sets of double-9, double-12 and double-15 dominateoes are common.
Most of the games that utilize dominoes involve a sequence of turns, each player playing against other players. The winning partner is determined by the total amount of spots a player has remaining after all of the other partners have played their dominoes. Typically, a player must play every available domino in order to win, and if he or she cannot do so then the game is over.
In addition to the game’s strategic aspects, Domino is also fun and addictive. The initial excitement of setting up a long domino line and flicking the first domino to cause it to fall creates an instant buzz that draws people in and keeps them coming back for more. This is the principle behind many of the Domino’s marketing campaigns, including its famous ad tagline: “Dominos: When you’re ready, we’re ready.”
Physicist Stephen Morris of the University of Toronto notes that when a domino is standing upright it stores energy in the form of potential energy. When the domino falls, most of this energy is converted to kinetic energy and causes other dominoes in the line to topple as well.
For those who want to take the idea of Domino beyond just a simple game, the company has developed ways to use it in business as a strategy for growth. One of Domino’s core values is “Champion Our Customers,” and they have implemented a variety of customer satisfaction surveys that encourage employees to listen closely to customers’ needs, wants and concerns. Domino also offers a variety of pizza choices to appeal to different tastes and dietary restrictions, allowing their customers to customize their orders. This kind of feedback is a valuable tool for any business.