Domino, the name of a game and the playing pieces, has come to represent a symbol of unity and collaboration among people across cultures and continents. The game is played by families, groups of friends, or entire communities. Its simple rules transcend language and culture, and its underlying themes of cooperation and teamwork are readily apparent to anyone who has ever played.
While most domino games are designed with more than one player in mind, there are a few that are designed for solitaire play. In these games, the basic rules listed here apply to all players, regardless of whether they are playing with multiple hands. In addition, there are some games that use a stock from which the players draw their tiles, rather than taking them from their own hand. These games have special rules that are different from those described here.
The word “domino” comes from the Latin for “head.” Originally, the term meant an arrangement of dots or pips on a circle or a square, similar to those used on a die. These pips are the identifying marks on dominoes, and they are usually painted, molded, or etched. While most dominoes have a pattern on both sides, some are plain or blank and serve only to indicate their position in the line of play.
There are many different types of domino sets available to purchase, but the most common are made of phenolic or polymer resin. These sets are sturdy and lightweight, making them ideal for both casual and serious domino players. They also provide a more attractive appearance than sets made of natural materials such as bone, mother-of-pearl (MOP), or ivory. These sets are typically more expensive than those made of polymer resin.
Some of the most popular domino games are bidding or blocking games. In these games, the winner is the player whose combination of all of his or her remaining dominoes has the least value. Other popular domino games include scoring and round games.
When the first domino is flipped over, it has inertia, which means that it resists motion until it receives a push from another domino. This push, which happens when a player takes his or her turn, causes the domino to fall, and the potential energy of the second domino is released.
Normally, the player who plays a double must immediately play a second tile onto it, which is known as the “set” or the “down.” If a player does not have the matching number, then he or she must knock, or rap, the table and pass play to the next player.
When a player chips out, the end of the line of play is reached and play stops. Alternatively, the line may stop when no more players can take their turns, or if a player’s hand is empty. Occasionally, play can also stop if the line of play reaches a point at which all of the dominoes are blocked together. Then, the players who have not yet chipped out should recall their tiles and return them to the stock.