Domino is a flat, thumb-sized, rectangular block used as a gaming object. Also known as bones, pieces, men, tiles, or cards, dominoes are cousins of playing cards and are one of the oldest tools for game play. Traditionally made of rigid material, such as bone or ivory, today’s dominoes are often produced in polymer and other materials. Unlike dice, which have unique markings on each face, dominoes have an identical pattern of dots on both sides. There are several types of domino games, ranging from blocking and scoring to trick-taking. Many of these games duplicate card games, making dominoes useful in areas where religious proscriptions forbid the use of playing cards.
The most familiar type of domino is the double-six set, which consists of 28 tiles with matching ends, bearing from one to six pips or dots. The pips mark the different values of a number and are used to determine how far one can advance in a domino game, as well as the order in which dominoes are arranged on the board. The pips are often colored differently from the rest of the domino’s surface, which allows them to be distinguished from other dominoes in a game. Most domino sets feature pips in black, although white pips are sometimes used as well.
While the Domino’s name and brand are recognized around the world, the company has had its share of troubles in recent years. For example, the chain has struggled to maintain consistency in its pizzas and has faced lawsuits from franchisees. In addition, the company has had problems with employee turnover. However, new CEO Paul Monaghan is reversing some of the old policies and has been working to improve customer service.
Despite these issues, Domino’s continues to grow. It now has more than 3000 stores and is the largest pizza chain in the world. In 2010, the company earned $5 billion in sales and profits of over $2 billion. In addition, Domino’s has a strong presence on social media and has innovative marketing strategies that have helped the company succeed.
In her early career as a mercenary, Domino was employed as the bodyguard of the genius Milo Thurman. She eventually fell in love with him, but they were separated when the terrorist group A.I.M. forced him into deeper cover. Later, Domino became a member of the Six Pack and a friend of the time-traveling mutant Cable. They formed a romantic relationship and shared a telepathic link.
Domino is also a powerful mutant who generates a psionic aura that alters probabilities and grants her good luck while causing others to suffer bad luck. The aura can vary in magnitude and effect, from preventing a bomb from going off with just the right timing to making an enemy’s equipment malfunction. This ability is controlled subconsciously by Domino, who can activate it at will. When triggered, it allows her to gain a significant advantage over her opponents. This advantage can last for a short period of time or as long as she desires.