A domino is a flat rectangular block, with either one or more sides bearing from five to six pips or dots. Dominoes are used in many games and can be arranged into lines or angular patterns. A complete set of dominoes has 28 tiles. The number of pips on each domino can be important for positional games and scoring purposes. A “double” is a two-sided domino, while a “single” has only one side with pips.
There are many ways to use dominoes, from straight lines to curved lines, grids that form pictures, and 3D structures like towers and pyramids. Artists can even build large-scale artworks using them. Dominos are also a great way to teach children basic geometry and physics.
It is possible to make dominoes from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic and even clay. However, wood and plastic are the most common as they are easy to manipulate, affordable, and durable. The most popular game for dominoes, however, is probably the simple “matching” or “stacking” of ones and twos on a line. Dominoes are also used in a wide variety of other games, such as “scorching,” in which players race to finish their turn by placing a domino on the end of a line of others that have already fallen.
In the 1700’s, the domino became very popular in Europe and was often played by families and in pubs. The game spread to America, and by the 1930’s it was a national craze. The name “domino” was derived from the Latin word dominus, meaning “lord” or “master.” The image of dominoes as powerful and influential reflects this association.
Domino is a very versatile word and has found its way into many different types of literature. One of the most important uses of this word is in the story “domino effect,” which describes any actions that cause other events to cascade in a similar fashion. A good example of this would be a bombing that triggers a chain reaction where other terrorist attacks occur, or an accidental firing that causes an office reorganization that leads to layoffs and cost cuts.
Another way that the domino effect appears in writing is through the use of scenes. Most stories follow a similar pattern, with each scene leading into the next, building tension and creating suspense. If you are a pantser writer, meaning that you don’t make detailed outlines of plot ahead of time, it is important to think about how each scene will impact the one before it and how it will fit into your overall narrative. You can use a tool like Scrivener or a simple scene card to help you do this. This will ensure that you have all the pieces in place before you begin laying them down on your domino track. If you have too many loose ends hanging, it can lead to scenes that don’t move the plot forward or increase the stakes enough.