Domino is a family of games and the tiles used in them are called dominoes. The word comes from the Latin “dominium,” which means “ruler” or “supreme authority.” There are many different ways to play domino, and the rules vary widely from place to place. This website provides generalized rules for the most popular domino variants, but you should seek out a book on the subject to get the exact rules for the games you wish to play.
The domino effect in fiction works by describing the way a single scene can cause a cascade of events that alters the direction of the story. Whether you write your scenes off the cuff or plot out your novel with careful outline, each scene is like a domino that influences what happens next.
In the past, when people heard the word “domino,” they probably thought of a game played with cards and a little wooden block that was placed on top of it. Today, the game is more often associated with electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Domino has also become a common name for restaurants, such as Domino’s Pizza.
The game of domino is typically played by two or more players. A basic domino set consists of 28 tiles, which are shuffled and then placed in front of the players to form a collection of hands. The remaining tiles remain face down to form a stack of stock, which may be referred to as the boneyard. Each player draws a number of tiles from the stack and places them in their hand. The player who draws the heaviest tile, or the highest double (if a game has rules specifying that), begins play.
Once all the players have drawn their tiles, a line of dominoes is formed. These are arranged by matching the pips on their open ends. The resulting arrangement of dominoes is sometimes called the layout, string, or line of play. In most games, the line of play must be completed before a new turn is begun.
Most domino games are played with the same basic rules, but there are some variations in how hands are drawn and how they are scored. For example, the order in which a player draws his or her tiles can change the outcome of the game. In some games, the heaviest tile is played first, while in others the winner of the last game plays first.
Besides the rules of each game, there are many additional rules that govern the overall structure of the game. For example, some rules require that a domino be played on its own before a second domino is added. Others prohibit the use of certain types of tiles. Still others require that a player draw additional dominoes from the stock before continuing to play. In addition, some games include special rules for specific situations, such as “buying” a tile. This is done to prevent players from having too few or too many tiles in their hands.