The word domino comes from the Latin dominum, meaning “the king.” This is an apt name for these small rectangular blocks that form a fascinating and versatile gaming object. Dominoes are also sometimes called bones, pieces, men, or stones. In general, they have a flat surface and are made of rigid material such as wood or bone. Some even have plastic coatings. A basic set includes 28 tiles that can be arranged in straight or curved lines to form patterns of either number or color. When one of the tiles falls, it causes a series of other ones to follow in a cascade-like effect.
In a game of dominoes, players take turns drawing and placing tiles in the center to form a line that eventually goes all the way around a table or other playing surface. Each player tries to empty his or her hand of all the tiles before the opponent does. The first player to do so wins the round. There are many different games that use dominoes, including blocking and scoring games. In some, the pips (spots on a domino) are counted to determine a winner. Other games use numbers or colors to create a pattern.
Dominoes can be made from various materials, such as ivory, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), or dark hardwoods like ebony. Some have contrasting black and white pips inlaid or painted on them. These sets are often considered more elegant than their polymer equivalents. They can be more expensive, however.
The first domino set was invented in the early 17th century. It was designed to represent each of the 21 possible outcomes of two six-sided dice (2d6). Each of the 28 dominoes bears a numbered face, or in some cases a blank one.
Domino is a popular family activity, and can be found in many homes across the United States. There are also several commercial versions of the game available in stores. Some of these are more elaborate and may include 3-D structures, a grid that forms pictures when they fall, or other complex arrangements. The most common domino game uses a standard 28-piece double-six set. The first player plays a tile, then the other player draws a piece from the boneyard that matches the value of that domino. The player then places it in the center of his or her line. The second player then takes a turn, and so on.
Aside from being an enjoyable game for people of all ages, dominoes can be used to make interesting art. Lily Hevesh is an artist who makes intricate domino creations in a variety of shapes and sizes. Hevesh starts by making test versions of her displays. This allows her to check that each section works correctly before assembling the final installation. She films her tests to be sure they capture the details of the display. Once the testing phase is complete, Hevesh puts together a final version that shows off her skills.