The Basics of Domino
Domino is a type of tile that is played by stacking it on end in long lines. When one of the dominoes is tipped over it causes the next domino to tip and so on, until the entire line collapses. Domino is a great way for kids to learn the principles of gravity and how the slightest action can have massive consequences. The concept of domino is also a popular metaphor for life. One small setback or unexpected event can have a huge impact and alter your whole outlook on life.
Domino can be a fun and educational game for children, but it’s also an excellent tool to use in the classroom as a teaching aid. In order to play Dominos correctly, it is important to have the right supplies and a suitable playing surface. A hard surface like a table will make it easier to stand the tiles on edge, and it is important that they are not touching each other or the ground. Additionally, the tiles should be clean and dry.
While there are many different ways to play domino, the most common involves placing a domino on the table with its matching end face down. Then, the player must place another domino on top of it with its matching end face up, and so on until the chain has a full shape. Some players choose to make the blank sides of the tiles “wild,” allowing them to be matched with any other side.
In more advanced games, the value of a domino is determined by its number of pips on each end face and the number of matching pairs of ends in the chain. For example, a double-six set contains 28 unique pieces because there are six pips on each of the two possible ends. However, because there are four matching pairs of ends in the chain, only 28 total pieces can be played at any one time. A chain of dominoes can be arranged in a variety of patterns, and this is a major part of the challenge.
Most domino sets are made of a material such as bone, ivory or dark hardwood (ebony, mahogany, or rosewood) with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on each. In the past, sets have been made of other materials including stone (e.g., marble, granite or soapstone); metals; ceramic clay; and even frosted glass or crystal. These sets tend to be more expensive, but often have a more interesting look and feel than those made from polymer materials.
In addition to blocking and scoring, dominoes are also used to construct domino computers and as components of Rube Goldberg machines. The world record for largest domino display is held by the Belgian acrobat and artist Salima Peippo, who has created a complex series of mechanical dominoes that toppled at an Expo hall in Leeuwarden in 2009. The physics of dominoes has also been explored in scientific experiments and demonstrations, including a toppling experiment led by Finnish acrobat and inventor Kaj Lehtinen and a giant domino rally staged by Pressman Toys in Berlin in 2009.