Domino is a game piece, a rectangular block of clay with one or more spots—called pips—on each end. Like playing cards or dice, domino can be used to play many different games that involve calculation and strategy. Some games involve emptying your hand while blocking your opponents’ play, while others use counting the pips on a domino to score points. Even more complicated domino games can be played with “extended” sets of dominoes that have a greater number of unique combinations of ends. There are even “double-18” sets with 190 dominoes!
When a domino is tipped over, it releases energy that pushes on the next domino in the line. This is why a long line of dominoes can be so exciting to watch. Dominoes can also be stacked to make shapes and even 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. Some people even create domino art by designing a layout on paper before placing the pieces.
Hevesh is an expert at creating mind-blowing domino setups, and she’s worked on projects involving hundreds of thousands of dominoes. Her setups take several nail-biting minutes to fall, but she says the most important step in her design process is planning.
She starts with a theme or purpose for the project, then brainstorms images or words that might fit that theme. She also calculates how many dominoes she will need for the design. After she has a plan, she begins placing the dominoes on their sides or even upside down, depending on how she wants them to fall.
When Hevesh is satisfied with her design, she checks it over to ensure the dominoes will fall as planned. She also tests out the pieces to see how they might interact with each other. Finally, she adds more dominoes if needed.
Dominoes can also be used in creative ways to illustrate a story. For example, a writer might think of each scene in a novel as a domino that falls over each other to advance the plot. For a nonfiction book, a domino might be each point in the argument or factual information that is being presented.
Dominoes are often referred to as a game of chance, but they require skill and strategy to play. They can also be used to teach children math and other skills. When a child masters the basic rules of domino, they can begin to learn how to plan ahead, make decisions, and follow through on plans. These are all vital skills to have in life. Domino is a game that has stood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by millions of people around the world. What is your favorite domino game? Tell us in the comments section!