Different Types of Domino Games

Domino is a game of skill in which players try to lay down tiles that match one another. These tiles are made up of a number of small rectangular blocks, called dominoes, with varying numbers of pips on each side. They are played on a table and can be knocked down to make intricate patterns, as well as used for other games.

The word “domino” is derived from the Latin dominum () meaning “to rule.” In the late 18th century, dominoes were imported into England and introduced by French prisoners of war as an entertainment. Several variants of the game are played worldwide and have spread throughout the world.

First, there is the basic block-and-draw game for two to four players that requires a set of 28 tiles. The pieces are shuffled face down and then the leader plays first, usually a domino with the highest total pip count. Each player then draws at random the number of pieces required for that hand, normally seven.

Second, there are a wide range of scoring games that allow players to score points by matching their dominoes with other dominoes. Some of these games are played in pairs, while others are played in fours and are used in competitions and leagues. The aim is to be the first player to exactly reach a set number of points in a round often 61.

Third, there are also a variety of blocking games that have no scoring involved and are played with different sets of tiles. These are often used to play with friends or in social settings. These games are sometimes played with large sets of tiles, and are often played in the same room as the scoring version.

Fourth, there are also a variety of solitaire games that use dominoes as the playing pieces, similar to card solitaire. These games are popular among aficionados of this game.

Fifth, there are a variety of other dominoes games that don’t involve matching or scoring, such as the variant Five-Up. These are often played with multicolored tiles that serve as spinners, allowing the line of play to branch. The first double is placed in the middle of the line and all other doubles are played end to end at right angles to it. The dots on the exposed ends of each double count as the total of pips at the open ends. The player scores if the total of pips at both ends is exactly divisible by 5 or 3.

Sixth, there are also other dominoes games that are not related to blocking or scoring that are played with a different set of tiles. These are mostly adaptations of other card games, such as solitaire or trick-taking.

The domino effect, or the idea that a single action may cause many more, is often seen in politics and has been used to explain how Communism could spread from one country to another. The domino effect can also be applied to any situation in which one action may start a chain reaction of events.