A domino is a small, rectangular piece of wood or bone, generally twice the length of the width, that is used in many different games. The pieces are marked on one side with an arrangement of pips. However, there are some variants that lack pips, or have a blank end.
These objects have long been associated with playing cards, but their origins are obscure. Originally, they were thought to be a masquerade mask worn by priests. However, they were later described as crude woodcuts on paper, and were popular among French peasants.
Traditionally, European-style dominoes were made of ivory, bone, or mother of pearl oyster shell. They were then introduced to England in the 18th century.
Eventually, these objects were introduced in the United States during the 1860s. Many children use them as toys. Several different games can be played with dominoes, such as solitaire, trick-taking, and scoring. Most domino games are variations of card games.
One of the most common types of domino games is scoring, where players attempt to score points by dividing five or three spots into two tiles. There are also some variations of this game that involve building a course of dominoes. In this variation, the player who achieves the highest total counts as the winner. Other versions include layout and blocking.
If the first domino in a line tips, the next domino will tip too, starting a chain reaction. This is called the domino effect. It describes any situation in which a change in a smaller area leads to a similar change in a larger area. Often, a small change can cause a ripple of changes in the surrounding area, resulting in a change in one’s beliefs and behavior.
When a set of dominoes is stacked on end, they are known as a “Domino Set.” Typically, each domino is unique. Some larger sets are numbered using Arabic numerals instead of pips. Each number corresponds to the suit of the domino. For example, the number 1 belongs to the suit of a single tile, while a number 2 belongs to the suit of a double tile.
Depending on the type of set, the domino pieces can be marked with either a line or two groups of spots. In a traditional domino set, each piece has a unique face, and each face is separated from the next by a line down the middle.
While most of the dominoes are made of rigid materials, some are made of plastic or wood. In addition to a few exceptions, each piece is numbered and belongs to a specific suit.
Dominoes are also sometimes used in the study of nerve cells. Although most dominoes are made of wood, a few are made of other rigid materials, such as bone. In fact, the word “domino” comes from the Latin words domini, meaning “long hooded cloak” or a cape.
Whether a company uses dominoes for a simple game or as part of a business study, they can teach valuable lessons. Especially when faced with a sweeping change, a business needs to navigate carefully and take the necessary steps to ensure success.