Domino is a board game in which players try to score points by placing dominoes end to end. Each domino has two ends, with one end having a number of dots, or pips, and the other blank or with nothing at all. The number of pips on either side determines the value of the domino. A domino with all its pips on the exposed side counts as a multiple of five. The first player to reach a multiple of five scores a point, and then each other player scores in turn.
Dominoes can be very powerful, as shown in a famous 1983 experiment. The University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead set up a long line of dominoes, each slightly bigger than the last. He then pushed the first domino past its tipping point, and all of the remaining ones fell with a nudge. This was a demonstration of the power of the domino effect, but it is not the only example. People set up thousands of dominoes in careful sequence, and they are often spectacular to watch at domino shows, where builders compete to build the most complex and imaginative chain reaction in front of a live audience.
The domino effect is a good metaphor for how things can fall into place in the real world, and it can also be used to describe how a story builds until it reaches its climax. For a story to be effective, all the scenes must be placed in order and linked together by smooth action that doesn’t have any hiccups or gaps in logic. This is easier to do when the scenes are based on a common theme or plot element, such as the domino effect.
For example, if your main character isn’t the model citizen in most respects, but you have written him to be charming and funny, then you can create a domino effect of humorous events that will keep readers engaged. If you don’t, they may become frustrated with your hero and quit reading.
Another way to use the domino effect in a story is to have characters act in ways that violate societal norms, but you must provide them with motivation and a reason for their actions so readers can forgive them. The old Clint Eastwood “Dirty Harry” films are a classic example of this.
A book containing the rules for many different kinds of domino games is available, including the ones most commonly played at home and in schools. It is called “The Great Book of Domino Games,” and it is available in print and as an ebook. It can be found in bookstores and on Amazon. It is a useful reference for those who want to learn how to play dominoes or just enjoy learning more about the subject. It is an excellent resource for teachers, as well, since it provides a wide range of games to teach children the basics of probability and logic.