Domino is a game or set of game rules in which players place tiles, usually rectangular, on the table. These tiles have either one or two squares on each side with numbers printed on them, called pips. The pips indicate the value of the domino, which may range from zero to six. Dominoes are normally stacked on end in long lines, and when the first domino is tipped, it causes all the others to fall over in a chain reaction that continues until all the tiles have fallen. This is the origin of the common phrase, domino effect, which means a series of events that starts with a simple action and leads to much greater–and sometimes catastrophic–consequences.

Dominos are a great way to get kids moving and learning. They can be used to play a number of different games with children, including matching pairs, pattern recognition and counting. Children can also use dominoes to create structures and art projects. Some creative builders have constructed large, intricate domino structures that are breathtaking to behold. These can be used as a source of inspiration for other builders and for display at festivals and other special occasions.

The most popular form of domino is a game in which players take turns placing dominoes edge to edge so that the exposed ends match each other, with the aim of scoring points by laying down a sequence of all five doubles or some other specified total. If a player plays a domino with the aforementioned number on both ends, it is known as an opening double and the players may then continue by playing other dominoes in turn until the highest double has been played (this is referred to as “setting” or “leading” the bones).

In addition to games involving placement of dominoes, there are many other variations on the basic idea. For example, the game All Fives involves a set of seven dominoes that are laid out in a line on the table. Each player then takes a turn by placing a domino on the end of the line so that it touches one of the dominoes already on the line. The exposed ends of the first domino must then be matched: one’s touch two’s, two’s touch three’s and so on.

In addition to being used for games and as decorative items, dominoes are also commonly utilized as building blocks in mechanical devices such as Rube Goldberg machines. The term domino effect is also often used metaphorically to describe any series of events that have a dramatic and cascading impact, like a series of dominoes falling over.