Domino is a game in which players try to make a line of dominoes across the table, preferably lining up the pips on each end. The player who has the last domino in his hand plays it on the edge of the board, positioning it so that it touches one end of a line of other dominoes, then the next player takes his turn and adds to this line of play. This pattern continues as each player lays down tiles, and the end of the line of dominoes may grow in length or crosswise as a result of different pips showing on the edges of each domino.
Each domino has an identifying mark on one side and is blank or identically patterned on the other. These pips are often colored differently than the rest of the tile, and this helps players recognize their pieces and match them with other pieces to create chains. Dominoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and there are many different games that can be played with them.
When a person starts a new set of dominoes, he begins by drawing a number for his hand and placing it in the center of the board. Then he draws a number from the remainder of the tiles in the stock and places them in his hand according to the rules of the game being played. There are several basic types of domino games, which fall into four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games, and round games.
The basic rules of a domino game depend on the particular type being played. But all of them are similar in that each player tries to place his tiles in such a way that the ends of the domino chain touch other dominoes with the matching numbers. When the chain reaches the end of the line, the winning player is the one who has the highest total value of his tiles.
Hevesh, the domino artist who helped set the record for the most dominoes toppled in a circular arrangement, starts her work by considering the theme of the piece she is creating. She then brainstorms images or words that she wants to use, and finally she plans out how she’ll arrange the dominoes. This plan might include grids that form pictures when they fall, stacked walls, or 3D structures such as towers and pyramids.
A domino set can be made from a variety of materials, including bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or dark hardwoods such as ebony, with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on the pieces. Some sets are also made of marble, granite, or soapstone. Many of the pips in these sets are colored to match the color of the dominoes. In some cases, the pips are made of metals such as brass or pewter. These sets can be more expensive than those made from other materials, but they have a unique look that many people find appealing.