Dominoes are a game piece that are used to create chains of tiles called a chain, which can then be flipped over to form patterns or pictures. There are many different types of domino, including straight lines, curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, stacked walls, and 3D structures like towers and pyramids. This type of art can be as simple or elaborate as you want, and it’s a great way to pass the time.
The word domino comes from the Latin term for “flip over,” which is the action of flipping a coin or other object to determine its value. Historically, the term has also been used to describe the process of creating a line of tiles that touch one another, then toppling them over. This can be a fun way to pass the time and can create a sense of suspense.
There are many games that can be played with a domino set, and the most common use is for positional games. In these, each player in turn places a domino edge-to-edge against an adjacent domino so that the exposed ends match. A player scores a point each time the total of the exposed dots on the two touching dominoes is exactly divisible by five or three.
For example, in the domino game double-six, players play a tile to a domino with only one exposed end and then place a second tile on top of that. The resulting pattern is known as a domino chain and the player scoring points is the first to reach a set number, often 61.
Several games can be played with a basic set of 28 dominoes that are shuffled together to form the stock or boneyard. Each player then draws seven bones from the stock. The players then begin playing, and the person who plays the first bone of a hand is known as the pips leader. This player will continue to lead until he or she is out of dominoes.
A more advanced version of this strategy is called dominoing, which is often seen in competitive domino leagues and is a skillful way to gain points during a game. A player can score points by forming a domino chain where each subsequent bone has an additional pips leader or by being the first to place all of his or her bones on the board.
When writing a novel, using the domino effect helps readers understand the logic behind the actions of a character. For instance, if the protagonist does something immoral, such as killing someone or having an affair, you must provide the reader with enough motivation or logic to forgive him and keep liking him. The domino effect can help your readers understand why the hero behaves in a certain way, even if it goes against societal norms.