Dominoes (sometimes known as bones, pieces, men cards or stones) are small rectangular blocks used as gaming objects. Each domino contains a set number of spots called “pips” on one end and blank or identically patterned faces on the other; there are numerous games using dominoes and the sequence of falling dominoes can create beautiful intricate and sometimes complicated constructions. Today’s Wonder of the Day inspired by Juan explores this concept known as domino effect which refers to actions with greater and unexpected results than expected from their initial action alone.
Most commonly, dominoes are stacked edge to edge in long rows before being gently tipped ever so slightly. As each domino tips over, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy that pushes on to its neighbor domino in line and overturns it until all dominoes have fallen over; complex designs can be achieved this way; some people even use dominoes for art!
A traditional domino set contains 28 pieces, which correspond to all possible combinations of two ends with zero to six spots on both ends. There are numerous kinds of domino sets available today crafted from ivory and bone; mother-of-pearl oyster shell (MOP); ivory, bone, dark hardwoods such as ebony or mahogany; metals like brass or pewter; ceramic clay as well as polymeric materials like plastic for more durable playability than wooden or marble versions.
As part of this article, we will use a double-six set to demonstrate some basic game variations and how dominoes tip. Each set can be divided into two players by shuffling tiles into the stock (also called boneyard), then drawing seven tiles from this pool of potential play.
The foundation, or draw, of any domino game sets a value for any subsequent dominoes that follow. Once this value has been established, the second player chooses one domino from their hand to place on the foundation, signifying which type of game they intend to play: matching dominoes of same type must match or they can choose another type entirely.
When two players possess identical dominoes, each takes it in turns drawing and placing tiles onto the foundation until both have exhausted their supply of domino tiles. After this stage is reached, remaining tiles are exchanged and eventually the game ends when either player cannot continue with any more dominoes of one type or does not possess eligible tiles any longer in their hand – some games involve each player playing one type until he or she has exhausted them all while in others it requires emptying hands while blocking play from others or scoring points by counting pip numbers on lost tiles!