Domino is a set of small rectangular wood or plastic blocks with either one or both faces bearing numbers or symbols resembling those on dice. They are normally twice as long as they are wide and can be stacked in long lines to form structures that can be used in a variety of games. They are also used as toys and to create art. The most common dominoes have a double-six (or ten) value on each end, although larger sets may feature additional values and even blank or “wild” ends. The number of spots or pips on an end is what gives each piece its rank and its weight in the game.
Dominoes are used to play a large variety of games, most of which involve blocking and scoring moves. Games can be simple or complex, and the most extensive book describing rules for many is called The Great Book of Domino Games by Jennifer A. Kelley. The basic domino set contains 28 tiles: seven doubles (same number on both ends from double blank to double six) and 21 singles, of which 18 have numbers only and five have both a number and a blank. In addition to the usual blocking and scoring games, dominoes can be used to build geometrical structures such as curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, and 3D pyramids and towers.
The company that produces dominoes, Domino’s Pizza, is well-known for its dedication to innovation and technology, especially in the delivery process and in its stores, where they are designed as “Pizza Theaters”. Their use of a number of different apps to allow customers to order their pizzas from smartphones or computers and the Domino’s Tracker, which allows them to monitor the status of their orders in real time are examples of this commitment to technological advancement.
Another example of Domino’s commitment to innovation is their use of AI-powered chatbots for customer service. These are available 24/7 and can handle a wide range of consumer inquiries. They have revolutionized the way Domino’s answers customer questions, allowing them to answer questions quickly and accurately in a manner that is much more efficient than traditional methods of responding to consumer queries.
In the past, the word domino may have been used to refer to a long hooded cloak worn with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. In both English and French, it may have also been used to mean a priest’s cape over his surplice.
There is a popular variation on the game Concentration that can be played with a double-six set, using a rule that states that a player may make plays off of either end of the first double that is laid down. For this reason, the game is sometimes referred to as “Muggins”. The score for this variant is awarded based on the total number of dots in the opponents’ hands, and for each multiple of five that a player has over a count of zero there is an additional point awarded.