A domino is a small, flat, rectangular block used as a gaming object. Also known as bones, pieces, men, stones, or cards, dominoes are tipped by one another and then set in motion to create long chains that eventually topple over.
Most people are familiar with dominoes as toys that children stack on end in long lines. When the first domino is tipped, it causes the next domino to tip and so on, until all the dominoes in the line have fallen. Very complex designs can be made by arranging dominoes in this way. Some people even use them to create works of art.
The word domino may also refer to:
In business, the phrase “domino effect” describes an action that triggers a chain reaction of events, each subsequent event having a greater impact than the previous. The result is often dramatic and sometimes catastrophic. For example, the actions of a person who makes his or her bed in the morning are likely to set a positive tone for the rest of the day. A person who is late to work may not make his or her boss happy. And a person who is rude to a customer can tarnish the reputation of a company.
Domino’s Pizza is an American-based franchise chain that specializes in pizza delivery and takeout. The company was founded in 1967 by Dominic Monaghan in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He emphasized locating his pizzerias near college campuses, targeting the core audience that was most likely to want pizza quickly. This strategy helped the company grow rapidly, with over 200 locations by 1978.
The name Domino’s is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning “lord.” The company’s founder chose this name to reflect its dominance in the local market. Its popularity spread throughout the United States, and it now has more than 2,800 locations worldwide.
In addition to its traditional blocking and scoring games, domino is used for solitaire games and trick-taking games. These games are often used as alternatives to card games in regions where religious proscriptions prohibit the playing of cards. In these games, the number of pips on each domino is important, as some games require that each player have a set of dominoes with matching numbers on both ends.
Most domino sets have 28 tiles with 0-6 pips on each side. These tiles are usually colored black or white and have a molded indent on each edge that is used to identify them as part of the set. Some sets are “extended” to increase the maximum number of possible combinations of ends and thus, dominoes. Common extended sets include double-nine, double-12, and double-15.
Many people are amazed by the power of dominoes, especially when they are arranged in large groups or shapes. However, it is important to remember that the domino effect only occurs when each action is taken immediately after the preceding action.