Domino is a family of games that involves the placement of dominoes edge to edge with each other. The resulting chains can take the form of lines that are either lengthwise or crosswise, depending on the rules for a particular game. Dominoes may also be stacked to create 2D structures such as walls or pyramids.
Many domino games have similar, or even identical, rules but differ in terms of how the game is scored. These variations can sometimes confuse players, as the rules of a particular game may not be immediately clear. This is particularly true when different regions of the world use the same name for a specific game but have slightly different rules for it.
The word “domino” itself has an interesting history. It was first recorded in the mid-18th century, but it is not clear exactly where it came from. One suggestion is that the term was derived from “dominium,” a Latin phrase for the hooded cloak worn by a priest over his surplice at carnival season or masquerades. A similar sense of the word was used in English before that, with a connection to a cloth draped over a statue, called a sarcophagus, as part of a funeral procession.
When Lily Hevesh sets up a massive line of dominoes, she uses fractions to calculate how many tiles she’ll need and how they’ll be arranged. That way, if someone accidentally knocks over a piece, it won’t bring down the whole installation. It’s not easy to do, but she says it’s worth the effort.
She’s not the only one to make such calculations. In fact, many people who play domino are prone to obsessing over the numbers. But that’s not to say they aren’t also having fun. In fact, domino is a great way to enjoy time with friends. It’s also a great way to teach children about math.
In some games, the player with the highest double is allowed to begin playing first. If no player has a high double, then the rules might state that whoever has the heaviest single begins play. This is also referred to as setting, leading, or posing the bone.
The Block game is the simplest basic domino variant and requires just a double-six set. It is played with two players in partners, paired against each other. The goal is to build a line of dominoes that extends across the entire table. The first player to do this wins the hand and scores the total number of pips remaining in the losing player’s hand at the end of the game. In the Texas version of this game, each domino with a multiple of five counts as a trick. Thus the game is called 42, a reference to its scoring system of 42 points for winning a hand or game. The Block game can also be played with three or more players in teams. Each team draws seven dominoes and plays into tricks in a similar fashion to the card game spades.