Whether you are a beginner or a pro, you are sure to enjoy the rules and variations of the game of dominoes. You will find that this family of games is not only fun to play, but also a great way to relax.
Origins
Various versions of domino have been formulated over the centuries. Several sources attribute it to ancient Egypt or China, but the origins of domino are still unclear.
The earliest known domino set was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Some historians claim that it was invented by Chinese physician Fan Lai in 1120 CE. Other sources attribute it to Europe, but the game’s origins are unclear.
The first dominoes were probably made of stone, bone, or ivory. The game spread rapidly throughout Europe and the Americas. In the mid-18th century, dominoes were typically made from ivory, animal bone, or wood.
It is also believed that dominoes were played by Inuit people in northern Canada. In fact, it is thought that this version of the game helped to make the game popular in the United States.
A game of dominoes is often played in Latin American cultures, as well as in Spanish speaking neighborhoods of New York City. These games are generally played by two players, with the goal of creating enclosed spaces that score points for each player.
Materials
Whether you are looking for a simple way to pass the time or for a fun activity with friends and family, the domino game is a great choice. The game is very easy to learn and has lots of variations.
In fact, you can play the game anywhere. You can play against a computer or another person, or even with your family. You can also buy domino sets to play with, and they come in various styles.
Most dominoes are made of plastic or wood. However, there are also some specialty materials. These are a little more expensive. You might want to consider making your own set with materials you already have at home.
The best materials to use for dominoes are metals such as iron or copper. They are also very durable. Other materials that can be used for dominoes include plastic, wood, or bone.
There are also some special types of dominoes. These have more pips and are made of a lighter material than the common ones.
Variants
Various variants of domino are played throughout the world. They can be played by teams or individuals. Some of the variants are quite challenging to play and require a certain amount of strategic thinking.
One of the most common types of domino is played by fours. Players take turns placing tiles in a row. The goal is to make the opponent’s hand as small as possible.
Some of the variations include using different numbers for the legs and arms. Other variations allow doubles to be placed on either side of the line.
Another variant uses a single tile as the head of the body. A third variant uses a different score system.
The simplest variant is the block game. This is played by laying out a base of three or four dominoes. The next player in line must place a tile onto the open end of the domino. The player who makes the most points in this game wins the round.
Rules
Basically, the rules of domino are quite simple. Players take turns laying down tiles, then scoring points when the ends of the chain connect with matching numbers of pips.
Players can either play vertically or horizontally, depending on the rules of the particular domino game. In addition, many variations of the game allow players to block a single line of play in one direction or the other.
In a standard game of domino, players have seven tiles. Each tile has two square ends, with the number of spots printed on it. The goal of the game is to lay as many tiles in a row as possible.
The first player to go out wins the game. The winning player subtracts all the pips in his hand from the pips in the opponent’s hand. The winner then scores the total pips in all the unplayed tiles in the opponent’s hand.
In some variants of the game, players can block a line of play by laying down a tile at an open end. If a player cannot legally play, he must pass by knocking the table with a tile.