Domino is a small rectangular block used as a game piece. It is usually made of wood, but it can also be a ceramic tile or even plastic. The face of the domino is blank or marked with dots resembling those on dice. The word is derived from the Latin “domino,” which means “little king.” In most domino games, the open end of the tile must match a number on an adjacent piece to play that piece. The arrangement of tiles on the table is called a line of play or string.

Many domino players have a system of scoring. One method involves counting the pips on all the dominoes in the losing player’s hand at the end of a hand or game and adding that number to the score of the winner. Another is to count the pips on all the dominoes that are in play, except for those with spinners. If the open end of a double matches the other side’s number, that double does not count as a point (i.e., a 4-4 counts as only four points).

For those who love to set up and watch the chain reaction of a long line of dominoes fall with just a single flick, a YouTube star named Lily Hevesh has a passion for creating amazing setups and videos. Hevesh has built a domino following with more than 2 million subscribers, and her videos feature her setting up straight or curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, stacked walls, 3D structures, and more. Her creations may take several nail-biting minutes to complete, and she relies on the laws of physics to help them fall.

When I provide book editing services, I often instruct my clients to think of each scene in their novels as a domino. This way, they can see how each scene works with the rest of the book to build the overall story. The key is to make sure that each scene moves forward in a clear and logical sequence, much like a series of dominoes falling on one another in careful order.

Dominoes are most effective when they are arranged in a linear manner and when each scene is clearly defined and well-balanced. Then, when the final scene is tipped over, it can add to the dramatic impact of the entire novel. Dominoes can also be used as an educational tool to reinforce a particular lesson or concept. For example, students with autism can use a set of dominoes with photos to learn the names of familiar people and places. In addition, they can also talk about the pictures on each domino to help with their socialization and communication. A teacher or therapist may use domino in an OT session to promote social skills and speech development.