Domino is an exciting, challenging game of skill and chance that can be played with one or more players. A domino is a thumb-sized, rectangular block with one or more sides blank or bearing from one to six pips (dots): 28 such pieces form a complete set. There are several variations of the rules for different games.
When a domino is tipped ever-so-slightly, it converts its potential energy into kinetic energy, the energy of motion. This energy travels to the next domino, providing the push needed to knock it over. And so on—until the last domino falls, bringing down the entire chain.
Using the principles of physics, the Domino Effect can be applied to virtually any type of event or activity in your life. Here’s how.
To understand this principle, consider a simple experiment. Place some dominoes on a table or other flat surface. Touch a domino lightly with your finger, then watch as it slowly, but surely, tips over. Why does it happen? The answer is because of the law of conservation of energy. Once a domino begins to fall, all the energy in its potential state — that is, its position and its velocity — is converted into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy travels to the next domino in the line and provides the push it needs to overcome its own potential energy.
The same principle applies to a story. Whenever a scene in your novel shifts your character emotionally, that emotional beat will influence the scene that follows—and ultimately the whole book. The best scenes in a novel are like dominoes. Each scene should be in a certain position to naturally impact the next.
In most domino games, a domino is played by matching its open end to another domino that has already been laid down. These two dominoes are then placed side by side to create a line of play. The number of pips on the ends of these dominoes is then counted to determine a winner.
Some domino games require that a player draw from the stock before playing a tile. Often, this is done to break a tie between two or more players. Then, each player takes a turn in making a domino play. The player who draws the heaviest domino makes the first play.
In some cases, the number of pips on the ends of the dominoes is counted at the end of a hand or a game and added to the winning player’s score. However, a common rule variation allows the losing players to count only the number of pips that remain in their hands at the end of a hand or evetnt.
Dominoes are available in various styles and shapes, including straight lines, curved lines that create pictures when they fall, and 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. You can even make your own sculptural designs from dominoes! You can find instructions for creating these amazing structures online, or you can purchase ready-made models at many toy stores.