Domino is a game with rules that are easy to learn but challenging to master. It’s an exciting game that teaches children about numbers and counting, while also building motor skills. And it’s a fun way for adults and kids to socialize and relax. But what many people don’t know is that domino is a powerful metaphor for story structure and the “domino effect.” Consider this: A domino has no value on its own, but when it tips over other dominoes can come down with it in a rhythmic cascade of energy. This is the same idea that goes into creating a great story. Every plot beat is like a domino that falls in a sequence to build the bigger picture.
The most common types of domino sets are made from polymer, which allows them to be molded into various shapes. Other material options include bone, ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony with contrasting black or white pips (inlaid or painted). Some manufacturers even make dominoes out of metal, ceramic clay or wood. These sets have a more natural look, but are usually much heavier and more expensive than polymer ones.
Each domino has a number of identifying marks on one face and is blank on the other, similar to a die. These markings are called pips, and their arrangement determines how each domino is played. For example, a domino with five pips on one face and three pips on the other is considered a triple-six. Dominoes with identical pips on both faces are referred to as doubles.
Most domino games involve emptying one’s hand while blocking opponents’ play. In scoring games, such as bergen and muggins, players score points by counting the number of pips in the losing player’s hands. Blocking games, such as matador, chicken foot and Mexican train, duplicate card games–and help teach children number recognition and math skills.
In addition to playing dominoes, they can also be used for artistic purposes such as creating tracks and a “domino art” that builds as the dominoes fall. Some of the most impressive domino track designs are curved lines and grids that form pictures when they fall, as well as 3D structures such as towers and pyramids.
When planning a domino art, it’s important to plan out the track before starting to ensure that all the pieces are placed correctly. It’s also a good idea to draw arrows on the track to show the direction in which the dominoes will be tipped. This will help prevent the dominoes from falling in a different direction than intended and potentially causing a chain reaction.
Hevesh, a professional domino artist, follows a variation on the engineering-design process when designing her elaborate creations. She begins by considering the theme or purpose of her installation and brainstorming images she might want to use in the design. From there, she develops a blueprint of the track and calculates how many dominoes are needed for the desired design.