Domino is a small rectangular game piece that has anywhere from 0 to 6 dots on each side. It’s used in a game called dominoes, where players arrange them to form lines and angular patterns before knocking them down. The way that the first domino falls can inspire hundreds, and even thousands, of others to fall in a chain reaction known as the domino effect.
Dominoes can also be stood up to create structures that are aesthetically pleasing and inspiring. Architects and designers use them to make their buildings and exhibits look interesting, and many people enjoy building their own domino towers or sculptures.
There’s a similar domino effect in storytelling, where one scene — like a single domino — can trigger a series of scenes that help your readers understand why your hero does or says what she does. In order for a story to work, these scene dominoes must be well-placed and timed so that the hero gets closer or farther from his goal. They must also be spaced so that the reader doesn’t feel overwhelmed or bored as the hero makes progress toward his goal.
A good example of a domino effect is the pizza chain Domino’s, founded in 1967 by Tom Monaghan and Peter Deberek in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In the beginning, Monaghan focused on opening Domino’s locations near college campuses because he knew that students would be willing to pay a little extra for a quick and convenient pizza. By 1978, Domino’s had grown to over 200 locations.
While most people are familiar with the Domino’s brand, few know that the company started as a regional delivery business for a local pizzeria. The business grew rapidly, and soon the founders began looking for other markets that might be interested in their product.
As Domino’s grew, the company created its own delivery fleet and expanded to offer its services nationally. By the end of the 1980s, Domino’s had more than 500 locations and was a leading national pizza chain.
There are a lot of different ways that dominoes can be used in games, from the scoring games of bergen and muggins to blocking games such as matador and chicken foot. There are even domino games that use cards, and there are many educational uses for dominoes in schools.
The word “domino” itself is rather obscure, but it may be related to a type of hooded cloak worn with a mask at a masquerade. The earliest sense of the word, however, was for a black and white hooded cape that priests wore over their surplices.
When you play dominoes, it’s important to have a hard surface to place the tiles on because they tend to slide easily when they’re not supported. It’s also a good idea to play with a partner so that you have someone who can help you if you get stuck. Whenever you place a tile, it’s important to match its ends with the end of another tile (or the side of a double) so that they touch completely.