There are many different domino games. Most of them fall into two broad categories: blocking games and scoring games. 5s-and-3s is a common example of a scoring game.
Players must thoroughly mix the tiles before each game. They may shuffle in pairs or take turns shuffling before each game.
Traditional European-style domino sets are usually made of mother of pearl, ivory or ebony with black or white pips. Some modern sets use different materials such as frosted clay.
Origin
Domino, whose real name is Neena Thurman, survived a government experiment to breed super-soldiers. Her probability-altering powers and combat skills make her a valuable ally to the mutant mercenary Cable. She’s also worked with X-Corporation, and the Hong Kong branch of X-Force.
On a mission in El Salvador, Domino disabled the combat droid codenamed Jericho by using an electromagnetic pulse to disrupt its neurological control system. On a later mission, the rogue CIA agent Ekatarina Gryaznova targeted Domino with an implant that interfered with her synaptic relays.
The imposter Copycat – a fellow X-Men rogue – assumed Domino’s identity for some time. But the real Domino returned to join the mercenary team when it evolved from the New Mutants into X-Force, led by Cable (Nathan Summers). The two women quickly developed a mutual respect.
Rules
Many domino games are played worldwide, often with different rules. For example, the same game may be called a different name in another country but have identical or similar rules.
As players play their tiles, a line is formed that is known as the line of play. The open end of the last domino played determines the count for that line. The player who plays the first tile in this line is called a setter or a downer and may be given other names depending on the game.
Before each game begins, the player shuffles the dominoes and thoroughly mixes them by moving them with his hands. The player then draws the number of hands permitted by the rules for that game. In some games, the remaining tiles are called the stock and can be bought by players later in the game.
Variations
There are many different ways to play domino. Some are blocking games, in which the object is to empty one’s hand while blocking opponents’ hands. Others are scoring games in which points are scored for specific domino combinations.
The most basic domino variant is a drawing game that uses a standard double-six set. Players draw tiles from a boneyard (stock) to create their domino lines or trains. Each player’s train is marked with a marker to prevent other players from adding to it.
Some games use special tiles called “spinners” to allow the line of play to branch. These may have pips on all four sides or be doubles that can be played on either end. Bendomino, for example, uses curved dominoes, which means that one side of a spinner can be blocked for geometrical reasons.
Materials
Dominoes are small, flat, rectangular-shaped game pieces that have been made from a variety of materials over the centuries. They are generally twice as long as they are wide and have a surface that is divided into two identically-patterned squares with an arrangement of spots (called pips) that correspond to the numbers on a die.
In Europe in the 18th century domino sets were usually made from animal bones (and ivory for wealthier players) with black spots etched into them, although other natural materials such as stone and wood have also been used. Later, the man-made plastic Bakelite was used for dominoes and other game items.
More recently, high-end wooden domino sets have been carved by hand and have a premium feel to them. These sets often have a metal pin called a spinner in the middle of each domino.
Scoring
In a domino game the player wins by making points while playing the tiles. The points are made by laying the pieces end to end in a line or angular pattern. If the dots on the exposed ends total a multiple of five the player wins the corresponding number of points.
Players in a domino game may decide to seat themselves in various ways. One way is to draw lots, which determines the first player to make a play. Another is to begin the game by drawing a domino from the stock and placing it on the table.
Dominoes are generally divided into suits representing the pips of two thrown dice. Each suit has a number of different colors. Each tile is also marked with the number of pips it contains.
