The game of dominoes is a family of tile-based games. The tiles are rectangular in shape with two square ends and a number of spots on each side. Players take turns rearranging them, and the last person to do so wins the game. The game is best played with two or more players.
Unlike most other board games, scoring occurs during the game. In many variants of domino, players can play doubles on their opponents’ hands, which will score them bonus points. The scoring system in domino games varies, but the basic idea is the same: a player who does not call “domino” before placing a tile must pick up an extra domino.
It was around the early 18th century when dominoes made their way to the west. They were brought to England by French prisoners of war. They soon became popular in Europe and started to appear in American literature. By the 1880s, the game had spread worldwide. While European dominoes do not have the same markings as their Chinese counterparts, the European versions of the game incorporate seven extra dominoes, which represent the six values of a single die throw.
You can play Domino online or offline. The game is easy to learn and play. It can be played against a single opponent or a group of friends. Some versions feature special events and prizes as you advance. Some games offer Wheel of Fortune style challenges, which let you challenge your friends online. You can even play against a robot or a computer opponent.
The game is played by placing tiles on the table. To play a domino, the player must position the tile so that it touches one of the ends of the domino chain. The player with the same number on both ends of the chain is said to have “stitched up” the ends of the chain.
One of the basic variations of domino is the Block game for two players. Two players draw seven tiles from a double-six set. Then, the players take turns extending their line of play. When the game is over, the winner’s score is equal to the total pip count of the losing player’s hand.
Different cultures have adopted different sets of dominoes. Originally, each domino was representative of one of 21 results from the throw of two six-sided dice. Several centuries later, Chinese dominoes introduced duplicates of some throws. In addition, Chinese dominoes were longer than their European counterparts.
The Western version of dominoes first appears in the mid-18th century in France and Italy. French prisoners introduced the game to England. It is mostly used in positional games. To win, players must place adjacent dominoes side-by-side. The aim is to match all the dots in the opponent’s hand.