What is a Domino?
The domino is a small rectangular block, usually 28 in number, used to play games of chance or skill. Its face is marked with an arrangement of spots resembling those on dice. It also has a blank side. It is a cousin of playing cards. Whether lined up in long rows or knocked down, the domino has many uses and is often a favorite toy of children. It is also a tool that can be used to teach students to count and add, or to play a game of strategy.
Dominos are used for a variety of educational purposes, including teaching numbers and counting, recognizing patterns and shapes, and analyzing probability. A student learning the alphabet can also work on letter recognition by matching letters to their corresponding domino dots. When a child with autism is learning to name people and places, they can use a domino with pictures as an interactive way to practice.
Unlike Chinese dominoes, which are made to represent every possible combination of two thrown dice, European dominoes have one blank face and seven that have the pips from each die. This makes them easier to match and easier to score in positional games. The most basic Western domino games are based on the concept that each player has to place his or her pieces edge-to-edge against those of the other players. The players then draw at random the number of pieces they need to win, usually five or seven. The remaining pieces are discarded, sometimes known as the boneyard.
The term domino also refers to the action of a person or company taking over another person or organization. For example, when someone buys a franchise from another company, they assume control of that business. This can be a positive thing, as it allows for new ideas and innovations to enter an industry, but it is also risky if the buyer doesn’t have sufficient resources to succeed in the new business.
A domino effect is an unexpected event that occurs as a result of the actions of one person or group. A great example of this is the CVS decision to stop selling Plan B to some of its customers, which led to the state of Maryland passing a law banning pharmacies from selling it. The domino effect is not always a good thing, however, as it can result in health and safety issues.