Domino is a game that can be played by two or more players. It has different rules in different parts of the world. However, they all have some similarities.
The basic domino set consists of 28 tiles with six pips on each end. A player can play them in lines or angular patterns.
Origin
Domino is a mutant who uses her power to manipulate probability. She appears in the X-Men comic books and is portrayed by Zazie Beetz. She is a member of Professor X’s team and a friend of Rogue.
The origin of dominoes is unclear, though they are generally believed to have been invented in China in the 12th century. An ancient set was discovered in King Tutankhamen’s tomb, dating back to the 18th Dynasty of Egypt around 1355 BC and is now housed in a museum in Cairo.
The word “domino” may be derived from the French for a black and white hooded cape worn by Catholic priests over their surplices. The game arrived in Europe in the 1700s via Italy and France (possibly by French prisoners) and quickly became popular in family parlors and pubs.
Rules
There are many different domino games, with varying rules. Typically, the game begins with the players drawing tiles from a stock (also known as a boneyard). The player who draws the first tile places it on the table. The player with the heaviest tile then makes the first play.
After the first double is played, the players score points by summing the ends of the exposed dominoes. If a double has two ends with the same number of dots, it is called a spinner and can be played off of both sides.
The winner is awarded the total value of the opponents’ hands rounded to a multiple of five. He or she may also earn additional points by “dominoing.” A player who wins all of the opponents’ chips is declared the winner.
Materials
Many different materials have been used to make domino pieces over the centuries. Today, the most common material is plastic. However, some sets are made from natural materials such as wood, bone or ivory. These sets often have a more unique look, but are more expensive.
Dominoes are typically twice as long as they are wide, which makes them easy to stack and re-stack. Each domino has a face with identifying marks on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other. The identifying marks are usually a series of spots (also called pips) or an absence of pips, which represents a zero.
High-end domino sets are often crafted by true craftsmen. They are often layered in multiple woods and finely finished with layers of lacquer.
Variations
The rules of domino can vary depending on the game and the players. In general, the number of rounds and scoring are up for debate. A winning player is typically determined by the total number of points scored in the dominoes they have in hand after three rounds.
Dominoes are arranged into a line of play, and each player places their domino on the table, except for doubles which are played across the line of play. The pips on the ends of each domino determine its value, which is sometimes called the rank or weight.
The rules of some domino games specify that a player may not hold back a domino that can be played in their turn for strategic purposes. This rule helps speed the game up, especially in trains, such as Mexican Train.
Scoring
Domino scoring is based on the value of a domino tile’s two exposed ends. Each end is assigned a number of spots or “pips” from one to six, and the total of these values determines a domino’s rank and weight.
When a domino is played, the exposed ends must match. If they do, the player scores a number rounded to a multiple of five. The game continues until a player goes out, or has no more tiles to play.
The winner scores additional points based on the value of the opponent’s dominoes still in their hands, subtracted from the winner’s total score. If players are playing in teams, this is done equally between teammates. Domino scoring is a simple and straightforward game to learn.
