Dominoes are a form of tile with identifying marks on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other. These identifying marks are called pips.
Each domino has potential energy that is used (converted to kinetic energy) when it falls over the next one. This kinetic energy is the basis for all scoring.
Game rules
There are many games that can be played with domino, but they all have some similar basic rules. In general, the game is played by drawing dominoes from a pool and then placing them in a line, joining them on their ends. Some games also involve blocking your opponent’s tiles by leaving them unplayable. There are also scoring variations based on particular patterns of dominoes played.
Before any pushing takes place, a domino has gravitational potential energy, which is measured by its h value (h being the distance between the center of mass of the block and its fixed reference point). This energy gets converted to kinetic energy as it hits a tile next to it.
Each player draws seven dominoes from a pool and starts playing with one of them. Players alternately extend the line of play, joining each new piece to the end of a previously played tile that matches it on both sides. If a double is played that can be joined on all four sides, it is called a spinner.
Variations
Dominoes are flat, thumb-sized blocks, blank on one side and bearing from one to six arranged dots or spots. They are used in various games to form lines and angular patterns, or as an alternative to dice.
Various rules and scoring variations exist for domino. In some games, the player with the lowest score wins after three rounds. In others, the winner is determined by the total number of dominos in each player’s hand at the end of the game.
In a fives-and-3s game, for example, the players place their dominoes so that the open ends of the chains add up to multiples of five or three. Each time a player places a domino that makes this happen, they score points. A domino with the same value on both sides may be used as a spinner, allowing the player to play it at any point on the line of play. However, the player must be sure that the numbers match adjacent dominoes.
Materials
Dominoes can be made of a variety of materials, including bone, wood, and ivory. Historically, they were painted or carved with different designs and colors. Today, most domino sets are made of polymers such as plastics or bakelite. They are also available in a range of colors, and many feature differently colored dots to facilitate matching ends.
Like a playing card, a domino has two sides and is rectangular in shape. Each side has a set of numbers that indicate its value. The numbers range from 0 to six. The most common domino is double-six, with 28 unique tiles. Larger-sized sets are used for more complicated games, and they also allow more people to play.
A table with a felt surface is a good place to play dominoes, as it will prevent scratches on the faces of the tiles. It is also important to have a score pad and pencil for keeping track of scores. A storage case is also a good idea for transporting and storing dominoes between games.
Scoring
Dominoes are small rectangular blocks used in games to score points by adding up the number of dots on each end. They are also known as bones, cards, men, or pieces. Each domino has a line that divides it visually into two squares, each of which contains an arrangement of spots or “pips” that vary in value from six to none.
Domino games can be arranged in many ways, but the goal is always to empty one’s hand and block opponents from playing their own tiles. The first player to do this wins the game. The winning player then collects the points of the defeated opponent.
The scoring system for domino is based on the muggins rule, in which points are scored by making the ends of the layout add up to specific totals, in this case multiples of five and three. The players must be careful to count both ends, as a double that is exposed sideways counts only the number of dots on its open end.