How Dominoes Are Played
A domino is a small rectangular block with an identity-bearing face divided into parts, each part bearing from one to six dots or pips, resembling those on a die. Twenty-eight of these blocks make up a complete set. Dominoes are used in games played by matching the ends of the pieces and laying them down in lines and angular patterns. The word domino is also used to refer to any of the many different kinds of games that may be played with such pieces, whether they involve blocking or scoring.
One of the most popular ways to play domino is to create intricate tracks for the tiles to fall over. Creating these track designs requires the use of both creativity and precise measurements. The goal is to make sure that the track will allow the tiles to fall in a way that is pleasing to the eye. The type of track that is chosen depends on the overall design and theme of the domino art. For example, some people choose to create curved lines while others opt for grids that form pictures or stacked walls. Some even create 3D structures like towers and pyramids.
Depending on the rules of the particular game being played, some dominoes in the stock may be bought for use later in the game. Other dominoes are set aside in a special area called the reserve, and cannot be bought for use. The player who draws the heaviest domino in his hand makes the first play of that game. This is often referred to as making the first set or the lead.
Once the first domino is set down, it creates a chain reaction, toppling other dominoes in turn. It is much like the firing of a neuron in a human brain. In order for this chain reaction to occur, the domino has to have enough potential energy, or stored energy, to start a chain of events that results in other dominoes falling. This concept is illustrated by the video that shows how a single domino can generate enough energy to knock over much larger dominoes.
The rules of a specific domino game govern how the line of play is formed and which players can make plays. A common rule is that a tile must be joined to the line of play by matching its open end with another. This can be done in two ways: 1) with the line of play, lengthwise; or 2) across the line of play, crosswise. In some cases, a double may be played across the line of play if it matches the open end of another domino.
There are also some domino games that do not use a line of play, such as solitaire games or trick-taking games. These games are usually adaptations of card games and were once popular to circumvent religious proscriptions against playing cards. These games can be quite challenging and require considerable skill to play successfully.