Domino is a popular pastime for people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. More than a game, it is a symbol of tradition, camaraderie, and creativity. Whether it is a dazzling show or a simple backyard picnic, domino brings joy and entertainment to many. However, like all things, domino has its pros and cons. In the wrong hands, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening. In the right hands, it can be a tool for enhancing communication and building character. Ultimately, it is up to each individual player to decide how they will use domino in their lives.
A domino is a rectangular tile with one or more identifying markings on either side and is blank or identically patterned on the other side. The number of dots or pips on the two sides of the tile is used to determine its value, and different types of dominoes have different values. In the most common variant, each domino has six pips and is twice as long as it is wide. The identifying marks on the domino can be used to identify the player, as well as the place in the line of play for that piece.
In a line of dominoes, each domino must be able to contact the end of the preceding piece in order to fall over and start a chain reaction. This is similar to the way that a nerve impulse travels along an axon, as if it were a pulse of dominoes falling from one end to the other. The power of the initial domino is so strong that once it has reached the tip of the next domino, that domino will be able to exert a force on it that will overcome inertia and cause it to topple over.
The first player to make a play must draw a domino from the stock (also known as the boneyard) according to the rules of the particular game being played. If a player draws more than one domino for their hand, the extra tiles should be placed face down on the table and may be bought later in the game by another player, depending on the rules of the game being played.
When players draw their first hand, they should place the domino that they have drawn in front of them so that others cannot see the pips on it. The player that has the heaviest domino begins playing. If there is a tie, the winner of the last game makes the first play.
In some instances, dominoes are set up in elaborate displays to demonstrate the amazing potential of the game and how a single push can create massive chains that reach across entire rooms. Some of these incredible displays are made by professional domino builders, who compete in the art of building a chain reaction before live audiences. The most impressive shows involve hundreds, even thousands, of dominoes that are carefully set up in careful sequence and then pushed over with the slightest nudge.