Originally referred to as a mask and hood, domino has come to represent one of the oldest tools for game play. Its earliest known references are in the Song dynasty of China. The word “domino” is derived from Latin dominus, which means “mask.” The term “domino” also appears in French, where it means “monastic hood” or “mask.” In the early 18th century, domino moved from Italy to France and spread across Europe. In the late 1700s, dominos were introduced to England and the United States, where it appeared in various forms of literature.
Most domino games are variations on card games. Players pick dominoes from stock and take turns playing them. In most games, the scoring mechanism involves awarding pips on the other player’s tiles. However, in some games, there are variations in which players may place tiles in any direction, including diagonally. Some games also allow players to place tiles on all four sides of the domino.
Most domino games have a target score, which players must reach before the game is over. To reach the target score, the player must play the least number of tiles in their hand. The number of tiles available to the player depends on the size of the set. The larger the set, the more players the game can accommodate. The simplest domino game is the Block game, which is played by two players.
The game involves two sets of tiles: a double-six set and a double-nine set. The double-six set has 55 tiles and is the most common domino set. Each player draws seven tiles from the set. The double-nine set has nine tiles and is more commonly used in party games. However, most games are designed to be played with a double-six set.
The first player picks the tile that he or she would like to play. If he or she cannot lay the tile, he or she may play a sleeping domino. The player may also play a single domino, which is also known as a combination domino. If the player cannot place the tile, he or she may choose a sleeping domino and then choose another tile.
The first tile played is generally a double-six, but can be played to the left or right of 6-6. In some games, the second tile played is a 6-5 or a 5-5. The third tile played is a 4-6. The fourth tile produces two open ends: a 4 and a 5. In the Concentration variant, players must have a total pip count of 12 in order to win the game. If a player has no more than twelve tiles, the player keeps the remaining tiles.
The first player’s choice determines the player’s hand. The next player must match one end of the domino to one of the two ends of the first tile. In some games, the player must place the domino perpendicular to the double at the middle. The player who plays a domino with the same number at both ends is said to have “stitched up” the ends.
