The Basics of Dominoes

Dominoes are plastic pieces marked with a pattern of dots on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other. They are most commonly used to play games. The most basic Western domino set consists of 28 tiles, seven doubles (both sides matching), and 21 singles with different numbers on both sides or a number and a blank. When the set is arranged in rows, each domino can be tipped over by another, causing the next domino to tip and the rest to follow in order until all are knocked down.

Creating these domino chains isn’t just fun, but a good way to learn about the laws of gravity and momentum. In some cases, it can take several nail-biting minutes for the entire sequence to fall, because each domino has inertia, or resistance to motion, until a tiny push overcomes it. The process is often demonstrated in domino shows, where builders construct impressive sequences that are tipped over by other people before a live audience of fans.

A domino set also can be used to create geometric shapes and other formations. And the basic physics of how the pieces work is a useful model for understanding more complex events, such as car crashes and rocket launches. In fact, a domino effect is what gives rise to the term “dominoes”—the idea that a small change can have major consequences.

The most popular domino game involves scoring points by laying a line of dominoes end to end with the exposed ends touching each other: One’s touch two’s, two’s touch three’s, and so on. When the dominoes total a multiple of five, the player scores that number of points. This is called “dominoing.”

Another popular game uses the same concept, but adds an element of strategy. To play this version of the game, players must first choose a domino from a group of 28 that is not part of the current game. This collection is called the boneyard or, in some cases, the stock. Then, each player draws a tile from the stock until they have seven pieces. The first player to score wins the game.

There are countless variations of these and other domino games, but to get started we’ll use the most common. You can also find a lot of information about domino online, in books, and in video clips.

Hevesh’s mind-blowing creations typically consist of 3-D sections, flat arrangements, and lines of dominoes connecting each of the pieces. Before she begins assembling an installation, Hevesh makes test versions of each section to make sure it will work as intended. She then starts putting the sections together, adding flat arrangements as she goes along. To ensure the entire display will be a success, she films each section in slow-motion so that she can spot problems immediately and make precise corrections. This approach is similar to the way that engineers design buildings, bridges, and other structures to ensure that they will function as planned.