The Basics of Dominoes

Dominoes are a fascinating and versatile game. You can play a game with any set of dominoes, but many games have specific rules and regulations governing the placement and movement of the pieces. These rules are sometimes the same for all games, but they are often different depending on the particular games. These differences are the result of many factors, including the way in which a domino is laid and whether or not a domino has matching ends.

A domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block with either blank or numbered surfaces. It is normally twice as long as it is wide, allowing it to be stacked on top of each other. Its pips, or spots, are usually in the form of dots resembling those on dice. A domino can also feature a line in the middle to divide it visually into two squares, called ends, with one of the sides having more pips than the other. The sum of the pips on both ends is the value of the domino.

Most modern dominoes are made from a polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, they can be found in a wide variety of other materials. Some of these are natural, such as bone, silver lip oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory and a dark hardwood such as ebony. They are usually inlaid or painted with contrasting black or white pips.

It is also possible to find a domino made from marble, granite or soapstone. This gives them a more distinctive look and can make them feel more substantial in the hand than those made from polymer. Some sets are made from combinations of these and other natural materials, such as woods with contrasting grain patterns; gilded, carved or painted metal; ceramic clay; or frosted glass or crystal.

Unlike most other games, where the order of play is determined by the seating arrangement or the winner of a previous game, in a domino game, the player holding the heaviest tile begins the first round. This is sometimes referred to as “setting the lead,” “putting down the first domino,” or simply “playing the first domino.”

Some games also permit players to draw additional tiles from the stock, adding them to their own hand without looking at them. These are sometimes referred to as overdraws. The player to the right of the person who overdrew takes the extras from that hand, without looking at them, and returns them to the stock.

When the first domino falls, it triggers a chain reaction that continues indefinitely. The speed of the pulse, which is independent of the size of the triggering domino, is similar to that of a nerve impulse, traveling at constant speed, losing no energy as it travels along its path and in one direction only. As the number of dominoes grows, so too does the complexity of the chain reaction. It may even reach speeds sufficient to knock over the entire stack.