The Game of Dominoes
The game of dominoes is one of the oldest tile-based games. Its rectangular tiles have two square ends and are marked with spots. In the first game, players take turns moving the tiles towards one another until they have a perfect set. Then they turn the tiles over to play the next game.
Origin
The history of dominoes is a bit mysterious. While some historians suggest the game dates as far back as 1120 AD, others believe it was first played around 181 – 234 CE. Whatever the origin of the game, it has been known to be played by many cultures for centuries.
The name domino comes from the Latin word “dominus,” which means “master” or “lord.” In fact, the domino’s name was originally a hood worn by a French priest.
Variants
The game of domino has a number of variants. The simplest version of this game is the Block game, which requires a double-six set of domino tiles. The first player starts the game by placing a tile on the table. Next, the players extend their tiles to the edge of the table one by one. The game ends when the last tile is played. The player with a lower pip count wins.
The game of domino is played in many different parts of the world. In ancient times, the Chinese used a set of dominos that represented one of twenty-one possible outcomes of throwing two six-sided dice. The Chinese game also introduced duplicate throws. Chinese dominoes are typically longer than their European counterparts. Though the Sino-European version is the most common, there are several other variations of the game.
Origin in France
The game of domino first gained popularity in France in the early eighteenth century. By the late eighteenth century, dominoes were a popular pastime and the French began producing domino puzzles. These games are based on the arithmetic properties of the pips, and require the player to place the tiles on certain patterns.
The game was originally invented in China and spread throughout Europe. By the 18th century, it had reached southern Germany and Austria, where it became a popular pastime. In 1771, the game was first mentioned in Dictionnaire de Trevoux. The word domino actually had two meanings in French: it also referred to the hoods worn by Christian priests in winter.
Popularity in Texas
The game of domino has enjoyed a long history in Texas. This state was home to the invention of the game, which is still popular today, though its popularity is waning because of the rise of other pastimes. Today, domino is played in homes, churches, clubs, and impromptu neighborly get-togethers. There are even tournaments that coincide with local festivals. The state championship is held every year in Hallettsville, Texas. The champions of this game are also crowned at the Texas Senior Games. Some enthusiasts have even set up websites that allow players from around the world to compete against each other.
A popular version of domino in Texas is known as 42. This version of the game is very similar to the card game spades, where teams of four players are paired up. Each player gets seven tiles, which are then played into tricks. Each trick is worth one point. A domino with five or more dots counts as one point. There are also amateur domino clubs in Texas that organize international domino competitions.