A domino is a small, thumbsized rectangular block that bears an arrangement of dots or spots on one side and is blank or identically patterned on the other. It is used in the game of dominoes, which are a group of games that involve the placement and matching of dominoes on an oblong surface, to form lines or angular patterns, with each player trying to build a line before their opponent does. The name derives from the Latin dominus, meaning “lord” or “master,” reflecting the traditional role of a domino in a game of chance. Dominoes were once popular in some areas to circumvent religious proscriptions on playing cards.

There are many different games played with dominoes, including scoring and blocking; most of these are adaptations of card games, and some were used to circumvent religious proscriptions on dice or other gaming devices. Other games are more like solitaire, involving the careful movement of dominoes to create certain combinations, or trick-taking games such as bridge or poker. Some are simple solitaire variants, while others are more complex and require a greater skill and concentration to play well. In addition to the basic domino set, there are extended versions that have more than 28 pieces and offer a wider variety of possibilities for players to match.

The word domino has a long history, both the game and the term. The earliest usages date to the mid-18th century, and the game is generally believed to have been introduced to England by French prisoners toward the end of that period. The game is most often played by two players, with each placing a domino edge to edge against an adjacent domino so that its total value is divisible by five or three. A point is scored each time this is accomplished, and the game continues until both players can no longer make matches.

In a more recent application of the game, dominoes can be used to generate art or to create 3D structures. These can be a single line, a grid that forms pictures when it falls, or even a tower or pyramid. Art dominoes can be made with a wide variety of materials, from wood and metal to ice and ceramic.

Domino is also a type of action in a computer program, referred to as a “domino effect.” The domino effect occurs when a small action has a big impact. For example, if you click on the domino in the corner of a window, it will close that window, and all other windows behind it will close as well.

In the Domino’s pizza chain, the Domino Effect is a strategy used to increase sales and improve customer satisfaction. In the 1990s, Domino’s CEO David Brandon realized that Domino’s had a high turnover rate among its employees. To address this issue, he introduced training programs and began visiting stores to talk directly with employees. These efforts, along with a renewed emphasis on positioning Domino’s near college campuses, helped the company to boost its bottom line.