Dominoes are small, flat blocks that can be used to play many different games. They are also called bones, pieces, men, or cards. They have identifying marks on one side and blank or matching patterns on the other.
The first player to make a domino play is referred to as the setter, downer, or lead. Depending on the game, this may be determined by drawing a tile or by determining the player with the heaviest hand.
Origin
Domino, real name Neena Thurman, was born as one of several mutant test subjects in a government project designed to create the perfect warrior. She survived the experiments thanks to her luck-based powers, but her precognitive abilities were considered unreliable.
She went on to become the leader of the mercenary group known as The Six Pack and later joined X-Force. She is a powerful telepath and is able to manipulate the laws of probability to shift odds in her favor. She is also a skilled weapons expert and an accomplished martial artist.
Her name, Domino, is likely derived from the Latin word dominus, which was first used to describe a mask worn at Venetian carnivals that resembled white domino pieces. The term later came to refer to a hooded cape that resembles the winter hoods worn by French priests.
Rules
Dominoes are rectangular tiles with a number of spots on each end, from one to six. They may have blank or identically patterned faces. Each domino has a defining mark, called a pip, that indicates its identity on one side. A double-six set, for example, has 28 unique dominoes.
After shuffling the tiles, each player draws one domino from the stock to determine who will make the first play. Some games allow players to buy from the leftover stock as they play.
If a player can’t play their turn they pass, and the other players count the total number of pips in their opponent’s hand. Players must carefully shuffle and thoroughly check their dominoes before every hand. Any exposed dominoes should be pushed back down and reshuffled before the next hand.
Variations
In a domino game, the value of a domino is determined by the number of spots or pips it has on each end. The game tiles are normally twice as long as they are wide, and a line of dominos is referred to as a layout or string.
A simple variant is Block Dominoes, which is for two players and requires a double-six set. Each player draws seven dominoes from a boneyard and then alternately extends the line of play with matching domino halves, either by connecting one or both ends. A player who cannot make a play passes their turn.
Other games use doubles as spinners and allow players to play them on all sides, causing the line of play to branch. Other rules include Matador, which uses unusual rules for matching, and Bendomino, a variation that uses curved tiles and can be blocked for geometrical reasons.
Materials
Materials play a significant role in domino construction. Traditional materials like bone, ivory, and wood are favored for their natural aesthetic and relative durability. Contemporary manufacturing methods like injection molding and casting utilizing resins enable high-volume production with consistency and precise dimensional accuracy.
Resins derived from petroleum-based products raise concerns about environmental impact, but advancements in biodegradable and recycled plastics offer viable alternatives. Consumers should also examine the origin of wood and stone to ensure responsible sourcing and manufacture.
Scoring
Many different games can be played with a domino set. These include blocking and scoring games. They can also be used as a substitute for cards when religious proscriptions forbid the use of them.
Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide and have a line across them to divide them visually into two squares, each of which has a value indicated by an arrangement of dots or pips. These values range from six to none or blank.
When a double is exposed sideways it becomes a spinner, from which play may proceed in all four directions. When a chain is completed the points on the exposed ends are totalled and the winner’s score (rounded up to a multiple of five) is added.