Domino is a small rectangular block of wood or plastic, usually marked on one side with dots that resemble those on dice. The word, which is also spelled dominoes or Dominos, has long been used to describe an array of games played with such blocks. A person can win a game by emptying his or her hand, blocking opponents from playing, or scoring points for matching a series of dominoes.
When people talk about the “domino effect,” they are talking about any action that leads to another and creates a chain reaction. This type of effect can be seen in nature, when a tree falls over after being blown by the wind or when a bowling ball rolls down a lane and hits the pins, which then tumble into the gutter. In the world of business, the domino effect can be seen in a chain of events that lead to an outcome or to a company’s financial success.
In 1965, Dominick “Dom” Monaghan opened the first Domino’s location in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Domino’s was successful early on because it emphasized getting pizza to people quickly. It did this by putting its pizzerias in locations near college campuses, where it could attract young customers who wanted to grab a quick meal. Domino’s also stayed close to its core values and was willing to listen to customer feedback, which helped it keep its business strong.
The most common sets of dominoes consist of double six (28 tiles) and double nine (55 tiles). Larger sets are available, but they are rarely used for commercial purposes. These larger sets have more than twice as many pips on each end, which makes it impossible to play a game with them using the rules that apply to traditional dominoes.
Most games are based on the basic idea that players take turns laying a domino with its exposed ends touching other dominoes, preferably in such a way that the adjacent pips form a number that is a multiple of five. The number on each exposed end is called a spot, and the total of all spots on the exposed ends of a domino is the value of that piece.
Some players arrange their dominoes into curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or even 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. The resulting works of art can be spectacular and take several nail-biting minutes to complete. Creating these kinds of arrangements is known as domino art. The artist who is best known for her work in this genre is Hevesh 5, who has built a reputation for creating stunning domino displays for movies, TV shows, and events, as well as an impressive collection of videos on her YouTube channel.