Domino is the name of a game in which players arrange dominoes to make lines of dominoes that are scored for winning. It is a game that can be played by two, four, or more people. There are many variations of the game and different rules of play, but the basic idea is the same.
In most domino games, a player wins by scoring the highest number of points on his or her remaining dominoes. The winner may also be the first player to “knock” (play) all of his or her tiles and thus end the game, or he or she may win by playing a domino that creates a line of play.
A domino is a rectangular tile with a square top that is twice as wide as it is tall, and one side that is marked with a number of spots, called pips, or a blank. Each domino has a value that is determined by the number of pips on each face. For example, a double-six domino has six pips on each of its two ends, and is thus more valuable than a single-six, or even a zero-six, domino.
When a player draws a domino from the stock, it is usually considered to have no value until it is joined to another domino with matching pips. Then, the values of both tiles are combined and counted. The number of pips on each domino is added to the total number of pips in the line of play and is the score.
The word domino comes from the Latin word domini, which means “heavy.” The name of the game reflects this sense of the word; it is said that dominoes have a tendency to resist motion until they reach their tipping point, when gravity takes over and pushes them down to the ground. The effect can be dramatic and exciting, and it is a great way to teach children the concept of chain reaction.
Domino is a word that has come to mean more than just the game, however. The term is also used in physics to describe the effect of a small action having a large impact on an outcome. For example, a domino that falls over from a slight push will cause more and more dominoes to fall over until the entire pile crashes to the floor. This is a well-known example of the principle of the domino effect, and it is used by teachers to show students how one small action can have a huge impact on the final result.
The word domino has several other meanings as well, including the hooded cloak worn by a priest over his surplice in religious processions and at carnival masquerades. It is also used in business to refer to a strategy that involves using a small piece of the market to gain control of a larger part. It is often used as a metaphor for political and economic instability.