Dominoes are a family of games played with domino sets. They are similar to playing cards and dice in that a variety of different games can be played with a single set.
The standard domino set has 28 tiles. The pips of each tile are usually labeled with Arabic numerals. Identifying the number of pips on each tile is a crucial part of play.
Origins
Dominoes are a traditional game that is played worldwide. They are particularly popular in Latin America.
They were first invented in China and have been described in several accounts in Chinese history. One account, the Chu sz yam (Investigations on the Traditions of All Things), states that they were invented in 1120 CE by a statesman and presented to Emperor Hui Tsung.
It is believed that whoever invented dominoes took their inspiration from standard ordinary spotted dice. These were used for business accounting and are thought to have been the precursors of the dominoes that we know today.
Rules
Dominoes is a popular game with a range of rules and variations. It is typically played by two or four players in partnership/teams, but can also be a solo game.
Each player is given a set of dominoes to play. This can be a single-twelve set (91 tiles) or a double-nine set (55 tiles).
After the deck of dominoes is shuffled, each player draws a hand. Depending on the number of players, each player draws seven tiles or five tiles.
The player who draws the heaviest tile starts play. Usually, this means the highest number of pips on the tile.
Variations
A domino is a game piece that consists of a rectangular tile with a line across it that divides it into two square halves. Each half is marked with an arrangement of spots, commonly called pips, and is blank on some squares.
There are many variants of dominoes that are based on different rules and play styles. Among the most common are the standard or “block” and the “draw” games.
For the most part, players begin by drawing seven tiles from a face-down boneyard and take turns placing them end to end. They score points any time they lay a tile that matches all the exposed ends of another domino.
Materials
The most common domino sets commercially available include double six (with 28 tiles) and double nine (with 55 tiles). Larger sets are also available for those who prefer longer games.
In the game of domino, players use a variety of materials to make their tiles. These vary in shape, size and material from traditional wood to plastics and aluminum.
Traditionally, dominoes were made from either animal bones or ivory. But in the early 19th century, craftsmen abandoned bone material and switched to tagua nut.
The modern mass produced domino sets are generally made from a combination of plastics, metals, stone or wood. These sets are typically stacked on top of each other in a tile rack.
Scoring
Dominoes are a type of game of chance similar to dice, cards and other games that are played with a variety of objects. Each domino has an identity-bearing face, which is divided by a line or ridge into two squares marked with an arrangement of pips.
In games, each player in turn places a domino edge to edge against another in such a way that the adjacent faces are either identical (e.g., 5 to 5) or form some specified total. A number of variations have been introduced, ranging from simple counting of pips to more sophisticated systems.
In muggins, for example, a domino that makes the sum of open ends on the layout a multiple of five is scored. However, some players prefer to score by subtracting the pips remaining in their opponents’ hands from the previous hand, rounded up to the nearest 5.