Domino is a small tile-like game piece with a number of dots (also known as pips) on each end. The numbers indicate the value of the domino when placed edge to edge with another domino, which is called a partner. The values of the partners are added together to determine a winner or a loser. There are many games that use dominoes, from simple blocks and scoring to strategy and pattern-matching. Dominoes can also be used for artistic purposes, with players creating a variety of straight and curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, and even 3D structures such as towers and pyramids.
Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide, and they come in a variety of colors, designs, and shapes. They can be arranged in straight or curved lines, with or without spaces between them, to form patterns and pictures. They can be stacked on their edges to make walls or other structures. Stacking them in layers also allows for very complex 3-D designs, often referred to as domino art. Some artists, such as Lily Hevesh, create incredible domino layouts for movies, events, and her YouTube channel.
The word “domino” comes from the Latin for “little tyrant,” meaning something that has little control but still can have great influence. The domino game itself is a popular symbol of the domino effect, a phenomenon that describes a series of small effects that build upon each other until a bigger result occurs.
The most common domino game is called Draw and Five-Up, which involves two people using a double-six set of 28 tiles. The tiles are shuffled and placed on the table face down, creating a stock or boneyard, from which each player draws seven tiles. Players then take turns placing tiles, ensuring that they have matching values on the ends of their dominoes and that the first domino in the line has a value equal to or higher than the next. A ‘double’ domino can be played at a right angle to the rest of the line and serve as a’spinner,’ allowing the line to branch.
Identifying the number of pips on a domino can be difficult, especially with older sets that may have worn down or faded the markings. To make it easier to read the values, most modern domino sets feature more readable Arabic numerals on each end. Larger sets with more than Arabic numerals are available, but it is rare to see a domino set that has more than double-nine.
The story of Domino’s is one of a company that has learned to listen to its customers and keep its focus on what matters most. When the company started to struggle, founder Tom Monaghan recommitted to the core values of the company and made changes. He emphasized the importance of listening to employees and making changes that would make them more comfortable in the workplace, such as relaxing the dress code and adding new leadership training programs. He also made a point of placing Domino’s pizzerias near college campuses, a move that helped boost customer loyalty.