Domino is one of the world’s most popular games, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Its popularity stems from its accessibility and universal appeal. From family game night to competitive tournament play, there are countless ways to enjoy this timeless pastime.
Like playing cards, dominoes have identifying marks on one side and are blank or identically patterned on the other. These markings, called pips, are typically an arrangement of dots, like those on a die, although some sets use symbols or Arabic numerals instead. A domino’s pips are located on two opposite ends, separated by a line or ridge. Some dominoes have multiple pips, while others have just a single pips on each end. Most dominoes are made of plastic or polymer, though some sets are made from natural materials such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, and dark hardwoods including ebony. These sets are usually heavier and more luxurious than their synthetic counterparts.
A standard domino set consists of 28 pieces. There are seven doubles (same number on both ends from a double blank to a double six) and 21 singles (different numbers on either end or a number and a blank). Some larger domino sets contain more than 28 tiles. These “extended” sets are made by adding more pips to existing ends, increasing the number of unique combinations and thus the total number of pieces in the set.
There are countless domino variants, but the most popular game is draw and block. Players shuffle the 28 tiles in a domino set into a stack called the stock, or boneyard, and draw seven to start the hand. Then, each player places a domino on the floor, face up, and calls “domino.” Each time the open end of a domino lines up with a number multiple of five, the player scores one point. The score keeper notes the score for each hand as it is played and at the end of the game.
Besides the social aspect of domino, it is an excellent way to exercise dexterity and practice strategy. It is also a great activity for seniors to improve their mental health and stay active. Many communities, senior centers, and retirement homes offer domino as a fun and engaging way to help residents improve their cognitive functioning and social skills.
A wide variety of free and paid domino apps are available to download. Most feature customizable sets, chat functionality, global leaderboards, and skill-based matchmaking to keep gameplay fair and challenging. Some apps even allow users to practice offline without internet access. With customizable difficulty levels and daily rewards, these apps can be used to sharpen your skills or challenge yourself against a tough opponent while on the go. If you’re looking for a competitive experience, check out Domino Master. This app features 2-player and 4-player live matches, staying true to classic tournament rules. Its intuitive interface helps you spend less time figuring out how to play, and more time winning.