Domino is a generic term for a game piece used in a variety of games. Like playing cards and dice, dominoes have identifying marks on one side and are blank or identically patterned on the other. The identifying marks are arranged in squares, or “pips,” similar to those on a die.
A domino is a tile with either white or black pips, and it can be matched against another domino that has matching pips. This creates a chain, or train yard, of dominoes. The trains of dominoes then can be flipped over and the next tile placed on top to continue the chain. Players can accrue points in domino games for certain configurations or moves, emptying their hand, and more.
There are many different games played with dominoes, but the most common are blocking and scoring games. Domino games are often adapted from card or dice games, which were popular as a way to circumvent religious proscriptions against gambling.
A person can also make domino art by arranging the pieces to form pictures or other designs. This can be done on a flat surface, such as a tabletop or board, or 3D objects, such as towers and pyramids. Domino artists can use straight lines, curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or even 3D structures.
Dominoes are also commonly used to make patterns and other designs, such as mosaics or sculptures. Some people even use them to decorate their houses or cars.
The most common type of domino set is made of a material called clay. These sets have a smooth, glossy texture and are typically colored with a blue or red glaze. They are durable, lightweight, and inexpensive, making them a popular choice for families.
More expensive domino sets are often made of natural materials, such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother-of-pearl or MOP), ivory, or a dark hardwood such as ebony. These sets have a more elegant look, and the pips are usually inlaid or painted in black and white to contrast with the underlying material.
While these natural types of domino sets have a more traditional feel, there are also many different kinds of modern plastic-based dominoes available. These sets are typically less sturdy and heavier than MOP, ivory, or ebony sets, but they can be just as colorful and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
In positional games, each player takes turns placing a domino edge to edge against another. The first player starts by choosing a domino from their hand, which is then positioned on the table with its matching ends touching. This will establish the first domino chain, or train yard.
Once the chain is established, the value of each domino in the domino pile is recorded on a score sheet. The players then tallies up their scores for the round and determine who wins. The winner is the first to reach a set number of points, such as 25. If a player has no more tiles in their hand, they must declare that they are finished and pass the score sheet to the next person.