Domino is a game of skill and strategy. It is a fun way to pass the time with friends or family. There are many different games that can be played with domino. Each game has its own set of rules. However, most of the rules are the same across games.
Dominos are flat tiles that are shaped like a dice with an arrangement of dots, or pips, on each side. The pips are used to identify a domino’s position on the line of play. A domino is also identified by its color. Each player has a domino that is colored differently than the other players’ pieces. The first player to complete a sequence of a particular number or set of numbers wins the game.
There are thousands of ways to use domino to make a pattern or create a structure. Some domino artists build curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, towers and pyramids, and other 3-D structures. Dominoes are also used in domino shows, where builders compete to see who can build the most complex and imaginative domino effects and reactions before a live audience.
When a domino falls, it causes the other pieces to fall. The sequence of dominoes can be a beautiful sight to watch. But, like a story, if the sequence is not carefully planned, the results may be chaotic.
The most popular domino games are bidding, blocking, and scoring games. Most of these games are played by two or more players. The number of players and the exact rules for each game differ. But, the basic rules for most domino games are as follows:
After the tiles have been shuffled and all players’ hands are drawn, the player with the heaviest domino will make the first play. If a tie exists, the tie is broken by drawing new dominoes from the stock. The player must then follow the rules of the specific game. For example, some games require the player to make a play by matching the open ends of the dominoes in the line of play (or chain). This is called making a double or a spinner.
Some games also involve passing and byeing (See the Order of Play for explanations). In these games, a player passes his turn if he can not match the open end of the domino in the line of play. He then must draw a tile from the stock and place it in his hand. If a player plays out of turn, he must recall his tile and the next player makes his play.
In my classroom, I have students start by finding the domino with the word START on the left side. On the right side of this domino is a question, definition or vocabulary term. Students search the other dominoes for one that matches the question on the right side of this domino and then connect them together end to end. Students then record their answers on their student answer sheets.