Domino is a game of matching the ends of domino pieces to make a line or an angular pattern. Each tile has either a blank side or one to six pips, or dots. 28 such tiles form a complete set of dominoes.
There are a number of different games played with dominoes, including blocking and scoring games such as bergen and muggins. A domino set also can be used to help children learn to recognize numbers and how to count.
The name of the game, domino, comes from the fact that when a single tile is placed on the table, it can affect the placement of other tiles in the same way that a falling domino might slam into a wall or another piece of furniture. It is a game that is both intellectually stimulating and physically demanding, and it can be played with two or more people.
Domino is a popular game among many age groups, both children and adults. It can be played on a small or large table, and can be made as simple or as complex as desired. Children can create designs with the dominoes, arranging them in straight or curved lines or even creating 3D structures like towers and pyramids. Adults can use their creative skills to create more elaborate arrangements of dominoes, or they might choose to play a number counting game or a strategy game.
Unlike the plastic dominoes sold in many toy stores, the real ones are usually made of bone or silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark wood such as ebony, with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted onto them. These sets are often more expensive than the polymer versions, and they have a much more substantial feel to them. They are also generally more durable and can be passed down from generation to generation.
There are also dominoes made of materials other than bone, such as marble, granite or soapstone; metals such as brass and pewter; or ceramic clay. These dominoes tend to be more visually striking, and some are considered to have a more elegant look than the traditional ebony and ivory sets.
Hevesh is an artist who creates works of domino art in a style she calls “reflective abstraction.” She begins each installation by carefully making test versions, filmed in slow motion to enable her to make precise adjustments to ensure that each part will work properly. Once the pieces are tested, she builds the larger sections first. She then adds flat arrangements, and finally the lines of dominoes that connect them all together.
Whether you are playing a traditional game of dominoes with friends or using the pieces to create your own unique works of art, you will find that the more you use these wonderful little tiles, the more you want to play. And when you do, you will realize that the power of a good domino can change your life in many positive ways.