Categories: Gambling

The Basics of Dominoes

domino

Dominoes are a popular table game that has spawned a host of variations. In addition to the traditional bidding, blocking, and scoring games, many solitaire-style domino games exist. Dominoes are also used to create intricate, three-dimensional displays, such as sculptures and pyramids.

When the first domino is tipped ever-so-slightly, it causes the others to cascade down in a rhythmic sequence. This is known as the “domino effect.”

The word domino comes from a Latin verb meaning to take or hold. The oldest recorded use of the word dates to 1491, when it was applied to describe an individual who took or held something. Throughout the centuries, the word has been used in a variety of ways, describing everything from the person who holds a piece of a domino to the structure built with them.

In the early 20th century, Domino’s Pizza faced a difficult time. Its profits were declining, and employee turnover was high. The company’s CEO, David Brandon, knew that he needed to do something about it. Rather than ignore the problems, he listened to employees and addressed their concerns directly. These new changes helped Domino’s get back on track and become one of the top workplaces in the country.

Most domino games have specific rules about how a line of tiles is formed and how a score is made. For example, a tile with blank sides can only be matched with another domino that has matching pips on the open end. Often, the pips on a domino are counted as they are played, but some games allow players to choose to not count the blank sides.

Before a game starts, the dominoes are arranged on the table. Then, each player draws a domino from the stock. The player with the highest numbered domino takes the first turn in the game. He is sometimes referred to as the setter, the downer, or the lead. He places his domino face down on the table and may “knock” or rap the table to signal that he is taking his turn.

After the first domino is laid down, other players must try to match it with a domino of their choice. This process is called “taking turns.” If a player can’t match a domino, they must pass their turn to the next player. This is why it’s important to play on a hard surface and to keep a good eye on the other players.

The last person to take a turn must make sure that all the dominoes in their row are matched up correctly. This is important because if there are any holes in the chain, then a player can’t win. It’s also a good idea to use a clean tablecloth when playing a domino game, as smudges can interfere with the accuracy of the score keeping. The game is usually stopped when the chain reaches a point where no player can make a move. The winner is the pair of players with the lowest number of pips on their remaining dominoes.

Article info