Dominoes are rectangular tiles with one or more dots (also called pips) on each end. Each pips is assigned a value of either zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, eight or nine, which indicates the number of spots on that particular end. Normally, each domino is twice as long as it is wide, which makes it easy to stack and re-stack the pieces.
The first domino to fall initiates a chain reaction that continues until all the remaining pieces are toppled. This process, which can last for several nail-biting minutes, is very similar to the way nerve impulses travel along axons. Dominoes are arranged in lines called a string, a layout or the line of play. The player with the heaviest hand makes the first play, which is usually made with a double. The next play can be a single or a double played across the line of play.
When a player draws more tiles for his hand than he is permitted to do, this is called overdrawing. The excess dominoes should be placed face down and, depending on the rules of the game, may be passed to a player to his right or bought (see “Passing and Byeing” below). If an overdraw is discovered, the extra tiles must be returned to the stock before any other players draw from it.
There are many different kinds of domino sets, which are usually made from a combination of materials. Polymer dominoes are very common and inexpensive, but there are also set crafted from stone (e.g., marble or granite); other types of woods; metals (e.g., brass or pewter); and ceramic clay. A more luxurious and elegant option is a domino set made from bone, silver lip oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or dark hardwoods such as ebony.
In addition to being a great game, domino is an excellent teaching tool for children and adults. It teaches them the basic concepts of probability, as well as logical thinking. For example, it is important for them to understand that one domino falling leads to the next without stopping, just as a series of nerve impulses lead to a chain reaction in the brain.
The game also demonstrates how the sequence of events and emotions in a story should naturally progress and shift from one scene to the next, just as in real life. If a scene in your story deviates from what most readers think is logical, the effect will be lost.
In order for your story to be believable, it is important to use the Domino Effect in every scene. This will help readers understand your characters’ motivations and reasons for acting outside of societal norms. It will also help them stay engaged with your story and connect with your protagonist’s journey. This will ensure that the story keeps moving in the direction you intended it to go. If you can master this, you will create an effective and absorbing domino effect in your story.