Domino is a type of game played with tiles. It is a simple and fun game that is easy to learn.
The first player selects one tile from a set of dominoes. That person then places it at the center of a flat surface or table.
The succeeding player then selects a tile that matches the initial piece. Then, that person plays it onto the table so it touches one end of the domino chain.
Origin
Domino is a game that originated in China around 1200 AD. It is a popular game in many countries and is played by people of all ages.
In this game, players use a small rectangular tile marked with two groups of spots on one side. The tiles are often carved from ivory, bone or wood.
They can also be made from clay or plastic. The tiles can be arranged in various ways to create a variety of different games.
The name domino is derived from the contrasting black dots on the tiles, which are similar to a style of half mask worn by Christian priests in Europe. There is some dispute over the origin of the word domino, but it probably relates to this style of half mask.
Rules
The game of domino is played by players using a set of rectangular tiles. These can be plain on one side or decorated with pips on two sides.
The objective of a domino game is to match the number of pips on an open end of a domino tile with an open end of an already played tile. The player who makes the first play wins the hand.
In most games, doubles are played crosswise and singles are played lengthwise. However, in some games a spinner may be played on all four sides.
In other games, a line of dominoes is formed on the table as players make their plays. Usually, but not always, this line is formed by matching the pips on the exposed ends of the dominoes that have been placed.
Variations
There are many variations of domino, each having its own rules and effects on the game’s play. Some of the more popular variations include block games and layout games.
In block domino, each player takes a double-six set of tiles and extends the line of play by placing a matching tile at one of its ends. The winning hand is the one that adds more points than the number of pip counts in the losing hand.
Another variation is Mexican Train, which takes the game a step further by branching off doubles in different directions. Players play a double and then must place a matching match on one end, but may also add to their own train, though at a limit of one tile per train.
Materials
Dominoes are made from a variety of materials. Some are inexpensive mass-produced for applications where low cost or high quantity are a priority, while others are handcrafted by artists.
Historically, domino sets have been made of various types of wood, including ivory inlaid with ebony pips and silver lip ocean pearl (MOP). These are often considered antique dominoes and command a higher price tag than modern polymer or metal dominoes.
Some dominoes are made of plastic or ceramic clay, and others are made from frosted glass or crystal. They may be less expensive than sets made of traditional materials, but they also have a more unique look and feel.
Scoring
The scoring system in domino is a very important part of the game. It can be done in several ways, depending on the game being played.
Some games use a running score to track each player’s progress through the board. This can be a useful tool for the beginning player.
Another method is to take the number of pips on the tiles left in each losing players’ hand at the end of a hand or game and add that to their winning player’s or team’s score.
This system is particularly helpful for muggins, or all fives, where the sum of the open-end pips on the layout can be a multiple of five. For example, if the leader poses (plays) 5-5 or 6-4, he scores that number, and if to 2-4, he can play 4-4 he also scores 10 because a doublet scores its whole value.
