What is Domino?

Domino is a rectangular block, thumb-sized in width and long, with two ends, each either blank or bearing from one to six spots (or dots): 28 such pieces form a complete set. It can be used to play many games similar to those played with dice or cards. Dominos can be stacked on end in lines or in angular patterns and can form shapes such as towers and pyramids. They are also used for decorative art.

The most basic domino game involves players drawing for the lead and laying down pieces in a line, until the last piece, which is called the boneyard, tips over the rest of the dominoes to start a chain reaction known as the domino effect. The winner receives the score for all the dominoes he or she has laid down, including those held by opponents. There are many other games for domino, some involving more than one player.

For example, in the game double-twelve, each player places a domino that has a number of spots equal to or greater than the sum of all the other players’ pieces. The player who has the highest total count wins, although there are many variations for breaking ties. A popular variation allows players to make plays off the edges of a double-twelve, but not on its ends.

More elaborate domino art can involve curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall or even 3D structures such as pyramids or towers. Some of these are even permanent installations. One famous artist, Hevesh, has a YouTube channel and website dedicated to her domino work. She creates amazing domino layouts for movies, TV shows, and events and has worked on projects involving up to 300,000 dominoes.

The word domino is derived from Latin, but it had an earlier meaning as a large, hooded cloak with a mask worn at masquerades. It has also been suggested that the domino resembled the cape worn by priests over their surplices.

There are many different types of domino, but most use the same base material, either wood or a polymer such as PVC or ABS plastic. Some sets are crafted of natural materials such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl or MOP), ivory, and/or ebony with inlaid or painted black or white pips. These more expensive sets often have a heavier feel and offer a unique look that appeals to some collectors. They are more difficult to damage than polymer dominoes. They are also more likely to be found in museums or private collections. A number of alternative materials for dominoes are available, including ceramic clay; metals such as brass or pewter; and glass and crystal. In a few cases, the materials are combined to create novel products such as domino jewelry and watches. There are also a number of online sites where people can buy or trade dominoes. In addition, there are websites that allow users to plan and share their own domino layouts for free.