Domino is a game in which players place dominoes on end to form long lines that can be tipped over to cause the next domino in the line to fall. Dominoes can be used to make curved or straight lines, grids that form pictures when stacked together, 3D structures such as towers and pyramids, and even art. The rules of many different games are available in various books, but one of the best and most comprehensive is “The Great Book of Domino Games” by Jennifer A. Kelley, which is widely available.
Each domino has a unique arrangement of spots, or “pips,” on its two faces. Unlike the dots on dice, each pips arrangement is not uniform across the dominoes; instead, some of the squares are numbered while others are blank or identically patterned. Most of the numbered squares have an identifying mark, such as a number or letter, and some are marked with a color. The blank or identically patterned squares are often called “scoreboards.”
While the most common domino sets commercially available contain only 28 tiles, larger sets exist for use with multiple players or for long domino games. These larger sets are usually designated as double six, double nine, and double twelve. Each additional set increases the maximum number of pips on an end by three, so that more than one player can play at once.
A basic game for two players requires a double-six set. These are shuffled and then each player draws seven tiles from the stock, which is also known as the boneyard. After the tiles are drawn, each player takes turns picking a domino from the hand to lay down on the board. The first player to place a domino of the highest value begins the game.
In most Domino games, the objective is to empty one’s hand while blocking the opponent from doing the same. The score may be determined by counting the total number of pips in each losing player’s hands or by some other method, such as adding up all the points on all remaining dominoes.
Domino games can be played on a variety of surfaces, but a hard surface is recommended to prevent the dominoes from falling off or getting dirty or scratched. Playing on a hard surface will also allow players to make the most of their strategy, as it is easier to read the pips on the tile from the edge and will help avoid misunderstandings or errors.
The company Domino’s has built its business on a core value of listening to customers. This value is reflected in a slogan: “Champion Our Customers.” The company has taken this line of communication to heart, and its success has been rewarded with numerous customer satisfaction awards. The company has used the feedback it has received to implement changes, including a relaxed dress code and new management training programs. This line of communication also extends to employees. Domino’s CEO, Brandon Doyle, has emphasized the importance of listening to employee feedback in order to maintain the company’s competitive advantage.