Dominoes are a family of tile-based games. Commonly referred to as “gaming pieces,” dominoes are rectangular tiles with two square ends and one or more spots on each. The aim of the game is to stack them in a row. The first player to place six dominoes in his or her hand wins.
Chinese dominoes
Chinese dominoes have been around for centuries, and can be traced back to the Song Dynasty in China. They are commonly used in several tile-based games, including Tien Gow, Pai Gow, Tiu U, and Kap Tai Shap. In the northern Chinese region, they are referred to as “Gwat Pai,” meaning “bone tiles.”
Chinese dominoes differ in one very important way: they are much thinner than Western dominoes and fit into the palm of a player’s hand like a deck of playing cards. They are also ranked differently, with the tiles being divided into two suits, either Civilian or Military. The Civilian suits have red pips on the face, while the Military suits have white pips on both ends of the tile.
In Chinese dominoes, the total pip value of each tile is seven. Each pip represents a different suit, including a suit that is more or less outnumbered. This means that the best way to win is to have the most pairs of pips on the same tile. In addition, a domino can contain more than one pair of pips. This means that each combination can represent a different type of tile in Chinese dominoes.
European-style dominoes
European-style dominoes are traditionally made of ivory or bone with contrasting black or white pips. Modern variations can be made from stone, ceramic clay, or frosted glass. European-style dominoes are a great game for family gatherings. The first set of dominoes was created in the seventeenth century, but the game is widely popular throughout the world.
In the early eighteenth century, the game spread to Europe. French players discovered the game and it soon became popular. French people adapted the game to make different kinds of domino puzzles. The first type was a set that had a single tile for each dice permutation, while the second style used a system where each player placed tiles based on the totals of pips or lines of tiles.
European-style dominoes were brought to England from France in the late 1700s. They were made of animal bones, although richer players also used ivory. Inlays of thin ebony or ivory were used to make the black spots. French prisoners of war sold dominoes in the nineteenth century and the game spread to the United Kingdom. It was also a popular game for sailors during long journeys.
Variations of domino
There are many variations of the game of domino. While the basic goal of the game is to build an empty hand, the rules of the game differ based on the type of play. For example, in some variations, players may be allowed to double on the opposite side of the line or double on a single tile. In general, the winner of the game is the person who has the highest score.
The most common game of domino is played by two to four players, who take turns drawing seven dominoes each. Each domino that has a multiple of five dots counts for one point. Matching all five open end dominoes can earn a player a total of 42 points.