Domino is a name that suggests power and mastery. In the game of domino, a single piece can cause something much larger to collapse with just a slight nudge. This domino effect is also seen in real life, when one person’s action triggers a chain reaction that leads to disaster. When you use this name, it is important to remember that every action has a domino effect.
A domino is a small rectangular block of wood or plastic, each face bearing from one to six dots, resembling those on dice. There are various games played with such blocks, each having a particular set of rules. A complete set of dominoes has 28 pieces. The word domino can also refer to a hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade.
The term domino can also be used as a verb to describe the act of placing a domino on its end. This can be done in several ways, including pushing the block with a finger or a pencil tip, and by dragging a domino across a surface to place it. The player may also slide a domino from hand to hand, or the tiles may be arranged in lines or angular patterns on the table.
When playing a game of domino, the first player begins by setting up his tiles on the table. During the game, each player has his turn to play a domino against those of the others. The first tile to be placed is called the lead. When a player sets up a domino that is not yet his turn to make a play, the other players may agree to allow him to put his own tile onto it. This is referred to as the “set,” the “down,” or the “lead.”
Once the players have drawn their hands, any extra dominoes should remain in the stock. When a player draws more than he is entitled to, the excess tiles are known as an overdraw. If a player discovers that he has an overdraw, he should immediately take the extra tiles from his hand without looking at them and return them to the stock. The player should then reshuffle the deck before another player draws his hand.
There are different rules for how a domino is played in each game, and players may also agree to a certain order of play or the rules for obtaining the right to make the first move. The first player may also play a double on the opening of his turn, depending on the rules of the game.
In addition to the basic rules of a game, a domino is also used in more advanced models of architecture and engineering. For example, a domino model can be used to create a shape that is impossible to build with other methods. A domino model can also be used to calculate the force needed to break a glass plate, for instance.