Domino is a game that is played by two or more people. The object of the game is to build a chain of dominoes by laying them down on a table and positioning them so that their ends match. The player then places a tile on top of the matching end, and continues this process. The result is a chain that grows in length as each subsequent domino is placed adjacent to the previous one. There are a number of different rules and variants that govern the way in which dominoes may be placed.
Dominoes are rectangular tiles with a single line bisected their length. They have a pattern of dots on one side, called pips, that corresponds to the numbers on a die (although some dominoes do not have any pips). The identity-bearing face of each domino is coloured differently from the other side and is blank or identically patterned to the other. Dominoes were originally used to represent the 21 results of throwing two six-sided dice (2d6) and the corresponding domino sets are still used in many parts of the world today to play a variety of games.
In addition to the classic block and scoring games, there are also games of a more strategic nature that incorporate elements of solitaire and trick-taking. These games were often popular in areas that had religious prohibitions against playing cards, and they are similar to the card games that would later evolve into poker.
The game of Domino is easy enough for young children to learn and enjoy, but it is important that they do so in a safe and secure environment. This is especially true if the children are using domino pieces that are painted and/or have small bits of sharp edges. For this reason, it is best to only allow young children to use plastic dominoes.
For a more challenging variation on the basic game, players can try their hand at domino puzzles. These are games in which a player is given a pattern and asked to place dominoes based on the arithmetic properties of the pips, such as totals of lines or tile halves.
While this is not an official game, it can be a fun way for kids to develop their visual spatial skills and learn the names of colours. This can be done by taking a piece of paper and colouring it with selected domino tile colours, making a trail. Then, ask the kid to select a domino that matches the colour of the trail.
In addition to the standard white and ivory, dominoes can be made from a variety of natural materials, such as stone (e.g. marble, granite or soapstone); other woods (e.g. oak, cherry or redwood); metals (e.g. brass or pewter); ceramic clay; and even frosted glass. Unlike polymer dominoes, which are cheaper to manufacture, these sets have a more traditional look and feel. They are also typically heavier and more durable than polymer sets.