Domino is a fun and entertaining game for children and adults. In Occupational Therapy (OT) it can be used to improve motor skills, handwriting, social interaction, and cognitive function. It can also be used in an Educational setting to teach basic concepts such as colors, numbers, letters, and shapes. Adding pictures to the dominoes can increase the learning opportunity by encouraging the child to name each picture as they play. This is especially beneficial for students with Autism who are more interested in a hands-on approach to their learning.
In the past, dominoes were often made of ivory, bone, silver lip oyster shell (mother of pearl), or a dark hardwood such as ebony with contrasting black pips. Today, dominoes are commonly made from polymer materials such as plastic or resin and molded in a variety of colors. Some of the more expensive sets use natural materials like marble, granite, or soapstone. The word domino, and the game itself, is thought to have originated in France shortly after 1750. The word may have been derived from the earlier sense of the word “domino,” which denoted a long hooded cloak worn with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade ball. It may also have been influenced by the contrast of black and white on the domino pieces, which resembled the color scheme of a priest’s cape over his surplice.
Some people enjoy stacking dominoes on end in long lines. When one domino is tipped, it causes the rest of the line to topple over, creating a beautiful sequence of cascaded movement. This led to the phrase, the domino effect, which describes any action that leads to greater–and sometimes catastrophic–consequences.
A typical domino set has 28 pieces that can be arranged in many different ways. They can be stacked side by side, or a line of dominoes may be formed across the center of the table. A row of dominoes can also be lined up in the shape of a cross, with each domino touching the edge of the next.
The number of possible ways to arrange the dominoes makes it easy to create a variety of games. Some involve scoring, such as Bergen and Muggins, where the winner scores by counting the dots in his opponent’s exposed ends. Other games involve blocking the opponents’ play. Still others duplicate card games such as poker or baccarat.
In recent years, Domino’s has put a lot of emphasis on technology. They have introduced a number of new ways for customers to order their pizzas, including texting a pizza emoji or using devices such as Amazon Echo. This is likely partly to keep up with the competition, but it is also part of a larger strategy to modernize the company and create an image of innovation. The goal is to give Domino’s the image of a company that is hip, fresh, and fast. This can help attract a younger generation of customers, as well as boost profits.