by Dominoes are a type of playing piece similar to dice or playing cards. They are rectangular pieces with a line down their middle that separates the two ends of each domino into squares. The ends of each domino may be blank or have a number of spots–called pips–on them.
When a player places one of their dominoes edge to edge against another, it must match the number of pips on the other side of that domino. The end with the highest number of pips is called the “heaviest,” and this domino is generally played first in the game.
The most basic domino game requires two players and a set of 28 dominoes, which are shuffled face down into a stock or boneyard. Each player then draws seven dominoes from the stock. The first player to play a domino that matches the number of pips on the next domino wins the game.
Other domino games include a positional game in which players place their dominoes in such a way that the adjacent faces are identical or form some specified total. In a variant called Five-Up, the doubles serve as spinners, allowing the game to branch into different paths.
Dominoes have a long history and are still popular today. They were originally a fad in Europe in the mid-18th century and have spread across the world. They were often used for masquerades, and the word domino was derived from a hooded cape worn by a priest at the time.
Although they are still very popular in Western countries, dominoes are not as popular in the United States. There are fewer varieties of dominoes available than in other regions.
The most popular domino games are block-and-draw games for two to four players. These games use the traditional “double six” set, which consists of one domino for each possible combination of two end pips from zero to six. This domino has the highest number of pips on each end.
Some people also play other games with dominoes, such as tiling them to create interesting shapes. Other people play domino toppling, in which a single domino can be toppled by tumbling another.
In addition, dominoes are a staple at many parties and events. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, dominoes are a great conversation starter and a fun activity for the whole family.
There’s even a domino-themed board game called Dominoes.
A domino is a rectangular piece of wood with a line down its middle that divides the ends into squares. Each end of the domino is either blank or has a number of spots–called a “pip.”
Like dice, the number of pips on each domino can vary. The highest-value domino has six pips on each end, and this is the most common piece in a double-six set. Other sets have more dominoes and different numbers of pips.
The word domino is derived from the French for a hooded cape that a priest might wear during carnival or at a masquerade. The word was recorded for the first time in 1771, in a dictionary.
