Dominos are small rectangular blocks that have two groups of dots or pips on one side. They are used for playing games and are typically arranged in a line or other angular patterns. The most common domino set has 28 tiles, although larger sets do exist. The word domino is also used to refer to a game played with such pieces or to a system of rules that governs the game.
Dominos can be constructed into straight or curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or even 3D structures like towers and pyramids. They are popular as educational toys and are often included in jigsaw puzzles. They can also be used to construct a timeline of history or events, or to represent a map of the world.
A domino game is usually played between two or more players, with each player receiving a set of dominoes to play with. The first player places a domino in front of them, then each subsequent player must place their piece adjacent to the previous player’s, or ‘touch’ it (i.e., a double’s end must touch a one’s end, or a six-six’s end must touch a four’s end). If the exposed ends of all the dominoes in a row total a multiple of five, the player is awarded that number of points. The player who reaches this point target in the fewest rounds wins the game.
Many different kinds of domino games exist, and they generally fit into one of two categories: blocking and scoring games. Blocking games involve placing dominoes in a pattern to block other players from completing their turn, while scoring games allow for the accumulation of points over several turns. The rules governing these games vary greatly and are sometimes based on religious or social prohibitions against playing cards, which were once the most commonly used game device in many regions.
In some cases, the game of domino can be an excellent tool for teaching students how to count. Students can practice counting the pips on each domino, and may then be challenged to determine how many of the same pips are on other dominoes in a given set. The game can also help develop logical thinking skills as students work to build a chain of dominoes or arrange them in certain directional patterns, such as a zig-zag or “S” shape.
Lily Hevesh began collecting and playing with dominoes as a child, and was soon creating impressive domino art for parties and film projects. Now, at 20, Hevesh has a YouTube channel where she showcases her amazing domino setups.
As she explains in her video, the key to domino art is not just the speed of the cascade, but the timing as well. She notes that the dominoes must be spaced correctly, and that they should have a strong narrative flow to keep viewers engaged. Creating such an effect requires a high level of concentration, as the tumbling dominoes must be paced precisely to avoid the risk of overcrowding and tripping.