The domino is a small, rectangular game piece that has anywhere from 0 to 6 dots. These pieces are set up in a line to create intricate patterns that can look pretty impressive when they’re knocked down. Some people play games with these pieces, while others use them to teach kids about the concept of “domino effect,” which is when one event inevitably leads to other events.
Like dice or cards, dominoes have many nicknames: bones, spinners, tickets, and tiles are a few. They are typically used in games where one domino topples another, creating a chain reaction that continues until every domino has fallen. Some people also like to use dominoes to decorate their homes or businesses.
There are many different types of domino games, but the most common involves playing against an opponent. The first player draws a domino from the boneyard, or stock, and places it on its edge. Then they begin laying down other dominoes, usually matching the value of the drawn tile. The first domino that falls is said to “start the avalanche.”
As each domino is laid down, it pushes down on other dominoes in the line and creates a wave of energy that causes them to fall. This process is called the Domino Effect, and it’s what makes it possible for a single domino to cause hundreds or even thousands of others to fall.
Physicist Stephen Morris explains that standing a domino upright gives it potential energy, or stored energy based on its position. When the domino falls, much of this potential energy converts to kinetic energy, or the energy of motion. This energy then transmits to the next domino in the line and provides the push needed to topple it. Then that domino transmits its energy to the rest of the line, and so on.
When it comes to personal development, the domino effect is an important concept. Rather than thinking about all of the things you need to do to achieve your goals, break them down into manageable tasks that you can complete one at a time. For example, when Jennifer Dukes Lee started making her bed each day, it was a small commitment that she gradually built up into a new habit. She became the type of person who makes her bed, and that led to more consistent behavior in other areas of her life.
While most domino games involve matching up the sides of identical tiles, there are also a number of scoring and blocking games. Blocking games, such as bergen and muggins, require players to empty their hands before their opponents can play. Other games, such as reversible domino, allow players to block a particular side of a domino. Often, these games include a mix of traditional pips, Arabic numerals, and blank tiles. The latter are often used as “spinners” to allow the lines of play to branch. They are also popular because they can be played by children without a need for counting or matching skills.