Domino is more than just a game; it is a symbol of tradition, camaraderie, and creativity. Its enduring appeal and cultural significance continues to delight and entertain millions of people of all ages around the world.
The most popular domino games fall into one of four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games, and round games. Depending on the category, the rules of domino play are different. For example, in the case of scoring games, the number of tiles left in a player’s hand at the end of a game determines the winner’s score. In a blocking game, the players try to prevent their opponents from playing a tile.
Dominoes are small rectangular blocks used as gaming pieces, often referred to as bones or men, with a fixed number of pips on each end. The pips are typically inlaid or painted. Dominoes are also sometimes made of a variety of other materials such as metal, ceramic clay, or stone. Historically, European-style dominoes were commonly made of silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl) or ivory with contrasting black or white pips. More recently, some sets are made from a variety of other natural materials such as marble, soapstone, other woods (e.g., ash, oak, and redwood), other types of rock such as granite or marble, and metals such as brass or pewter.
Many domino games involve a line of tiles that the players build on the table in a specific configuration called the line of play. Usually, each player places a domino on the table with its open end touching the last tile played by any other player. The resulting line of tiles is then joined together using the matching pips on its open end. The line of play may be lengthwise or crosswise, with the opening pips facing one another.
If a player draws more dominoes for his hand than he is entitled to, it is considered an overdraw and he must return the extra dominoes to the stock before playing his next turn. Some games require that all of the tiles in a player’s hand at the beginning of a game be counted, while others only require that those which remain in his hand at the end of a game be counted.
As the lines of dominoes grow longer, a player will need to use more power to nudge them. The most complex domino chains feature hundreds or thousands of dominoes set up in a carefully controlled sequence to eventually topple with the nudge of only one. These impressive displays are a hallmark of domino shows in which builders compete to create the most imaginative and intricate domino reaction for a crowd of spectators.
Just like the ripple effect that occurs when a single drop of water hits the surface of a glass, the simple act of placing a domino can create waves of influence and change in the world around us. For Domino, this means staying true to the company’s core values — including listening to employees and championing customers.