How to Play Dominoes

Dominoes are small tiles with a number of spots (or pips) on each end. There are many different games of domino, each with its own rules and scoring system. The basic game involves forming lines of dominoes by placing one tile at a time, with the open ends of each adjacent piece lined up. This configuration of dominoes is called a string, layout or line of play. Some players make a point of arranging their dominoes in neat rows or other patterns on the table before playing them.

The first domino in a line of play is known as the leader. This person determines the order of play and, if appropriate, begins the game by placing his or her domino in the center of the string or layout. The next player then plays his or her domino on top of the leader. The resulting line is then played outwards, and the pattern continues in this fashion.

Each new tile placed in a domino line is called a turn, and the first player to complete his or her turn wins that round. If a player is unable to complete a turn, that player is out of the game. Some people keep score and award points based on the total number of turns a player has. A player may also win by forming a particular domino pattern on the table.

If the heaviest domino is a double, the player to the right of the heaviest double begins play. Otherwise, the player to the left of the heaviest single begins play. After each player draws a hand, any extra dominoes are passed to the right (or bought by other players).

A large set of dominoes can be made from a variety of materials. In addition to the traditional silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, bone and ebony, sets have been made from metals; stone (such as marble, granite or soapstone); woods; ceramic clay; and even frosted glass. Some of these materials have a more unique and elegant appearance, and their often heavier weight makes them feel more substantial than polymer-based sets.

When a domino is pushed onto its edge, it creates potential energy that can be transferred to the next domino in the line of play. If the force is strong enough, the entire chain can fall over. This principle is referred to as the domino effect. The domino effect is most often used in risk assessment, such as predicting the damage that might be caused by fire heat radiation, explosion shock waves and explosive debris. This type of analysis is often performed using computational fluid dynamics and finite element method models. Other advanced methods of analysis include the use of historical accident data from industry reports and databases. The resulting analysis provides valuable information about the potential effects of specific scenarios that might occur in real-world accidents. This information can help reduce the likelihood of future accidents.