by Domino is a small rectangular block used as gaming object, usually twice as long as it is wide. It is normally marked with dots resembling those on dice. The pips vary in value from six to none or blank. It is also called a bone, men, cards, or stones.
The word domino is an Italian phrase meaning “flip over.” When a domino is flipped over, it causes the next one to flip over, and so on in a chain reaction. The effect can be very dramatic.
In a game of domino, each player has a set of dominoes, and the goal is to score points by placing them end to end in a row so that all the exposed ends match (i.e., one’s touch two’s, and so on). The first player to place all of their dominoes ends matching the specified total wins. The most basic game of domino is for two players and requires a double-six set. The 28 tiles are shuffled and then placed face down in a pile called the stock or boneyard, from which each player draws seven pieces for their hand. The player who draws the heaviest domino plays first, placing their piece on the table. The other players play their tiles as needed.
There are many different games of domino, but they all share the same principle: a domino is a tile that can be flipped over and cause other pieces to fall into place on it. There are many variants of the game, with rules varying slightly by country and region. For example, some countries use a different number of tiles and add a comma between the digits in the number of the tiles, while others leave off the comma.
A domino may be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metals, glass, and ceramic clay. Some sets are crafted in a natural material such as silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or dark hardwoods such as ebony with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on them. These natural dominoes typically have a more sophisticated appearance than those made of polymer, and they often weigh considerably more.
In the United States, the first domino restaurant was founded in Ypsilanti, Michigan, by Tom Monaghan. The chain grew rapidly, and by the late 1960s had over 200 stores. Monaghan’s strategy of locating Domino’s pizza outlets near college campuses was a major contributor to its success, as young people often came in large groups. The company was also innovative in its marketing, notably by featuring all the negative comments about their pizza in a national advertising campaign. This was a bold move that paid off, and helped the Domino’s brand image recover from its initial slump. In 2009, Domino’s was sold to a private equity firm. The new owners plan to expand the chain into a nationwide pizza and entertainment franchise. This expansion could include restaurants, retail spaces, and other related businesses.
