Domino is a game of skill that can be played in pairs or fours, and is a popular family game. In competitions, players aim to be the first player to reach a certain number of points in a round.
In the most basic form, two players draw a set of dominos, each with seven tiles. Then, they place a tile on the table to start a line of play and alternately extend that line with one matching tile at each of its two ends. When all the players have played their last tile, the winner is determined by whose hand has the lowest pip count.
A domino is a rectangular block made of rigid material (usually wood, bone or plastic) that has markings on each side. These markings are called pips, or spots, and the value of the side with a matching number of pips is the same as that of the side with no pips. The most common type of domino is double-six, which has six pips on one side and none or blank on the other.
There are also single-six, six-six, double-six and three-six variants. Each of these types uses different rules, but they all have a goal: to be the first player to win with all of their tiles.
Some domino variations also have a bonus point for each time the total of the pips on an open end is exactly divisible by 5 or 3. For example, double six would score 4 points.
This can be used to build an intricate pattern of dominoes. Then, when it comes time to knock them over, each domino has a small fraction of its potential energy converted into kinetic energy, which is transferred from domino to domino until they all fall.
As I watched a domino show recently, I was amazed by how complex and imaginative dominos can be when set up right. In the show, builders compete to create the most mind-blowing domino effect or reaction.
The dominoes that fall are a metaphor for how narrative works: one action, no matter how small, can cause other actions to occur. In a novel, this is known as the domino effect, and writers often use this technique to illustrate how a plot unfolds.
Similarly, in business, one bad choice can have a domino effect on the company’s fortunes. In a high-tech company, a bad decision can lead to a new product being discontinued or a company going out of business altogether.
A good way to deal with a problem or challenge is to break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. For example, if you are trying to improve your financial situation, breaking the task of creating a budget into several good dominoes can make it easier to accomplish.
Another approach is to focus on one domino at a time and try to complete it before moving onto the next. By doing so, you can avoid the pitfalls of micromanaging and letting other activities distract you.
