Domino is a tile game that is played with a set of six or nine tiles. Each tile is numbered, and all the pieces are arranged in a series to form a domino. The number of dots on each end determines the value of the domino. It is typically played against one or more opponents, but can also be played by family and friends. There are several versions of domino, ranging from the traditional, to variants that use wind blowing cards, to versions that allow a tile to be positioned in any direction on the table. In most games, players try to win by having the least number of spots on their dominos. Some versions, however, limit the amount of points a player can earn.
Domino was originally a French word, meaning a long hooded cloak, that was worn by priests. It is believed that it was brought to England by French prisoners of war. Several variations of the game were subsequently developed, and it was introduced to the United States in the 1860s. Most dominos were made of ivory, ebony, or bone, but European-style dominos are traditionally made of dark hardwood such as ebony.
The most basic domino variant is the Block game, which is played between two players. To play the game, each player draws seven tiles from a stock. After the first player is finished, the second player takes his turn and picks seven more tiles. This continues until all the players have taken turns. Alternatively, a scoring version is used, which allows each player to see how many of his or her own tiles are left and how many of the opponent’s are left.
A more advanced version of the game is called Concentration. This is played with a double-six domino set. This version is popular in Singapore and Singapore itself, and offers the player bonus play if he or she makes a double-tile.
Doubles are a useful strategy to use when playing domino. They are usually placed cross-ways in the layout, with the ends of the chain perpendicular to the lines of play. Depending on the game, the double may be counted as one or two. Occasionally, the ends of the chain are considered to be open, and no other tiles are connected to the open ends. However, the player still has to place the tile in the proper place for it to be played, and a number of rules must be followed.
Doubles are also known as spinners. They are laid on a flat surface, and each tile is then positioned in such a way that it will reach one of the ends of the chain. While this does not necessarily make them “light,” it does make them easier to manage.
When playing a standard domino game, the player must make sure that he or she is not blocking the other player’s line of play. A rule in most domino games is that the pips on each of the losing player’s dominoes are counted. If the loser has more pips than the other player, the winner is credited with the sum of the pips on the losing player’s tiles.
