A domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block, the face of which is divided into halves and marked by dots resembling those on dice. A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, and a typical set of dominoes contains 28 pieces. When stacked on their edges, they form a line and when one is tipped over, it triggers the others to topple as well. This is the origin of the expression, domino effect. A similar sequence is illustrated in the popular game of dominoes, in which players place a domino edge to edge against another in order to make a certain total. Other games, such as drawing and block, are played with the same principle.

The word, also used as a noun and a verb, was first recorded in Italy and France around the mid-18th century. In English, the name was soon applied to the wooden tiles that are arranged in rows to form large chains of alternating colors, with a white base and black or ivory faces. These were originally made from ebony and ivory but have now become available in a variety of materials.

Western dominoes are primarily used for positional games in which players take turns placing dominoes so that the adjacent sides are either identical (e.g., five to 5) or make some specified total. It is possible to create extremely complex designs by arranging dominoes in this way and many players enjoy stacking them on end to form long lines.

Dominoes were once so popular that a number of companies entered the business of making them. Today, the market is dominated by a few large firms that manufacture and distribute most of the world’s dominoes.

Although Domino’s remains a dominant player, its market share has been reduced by new delivery services such as Uber Eats and DoorDash that offer fast, convenient food deliveries. This competition, coupled with the Domino’s labor shortage, has hindered the company’s growth.

The labor shortage has been particularly damaging to Domino’s, which depends heavily on its delivery drivers for its business model. The company has been forced to limit delivery hours and to close some stores, as it can no longer recruit enough drivers to meet customer demand. The shortage is likely to continue into the next year.

In a similar manner, the labor shortage has disrupted other industries, including retail, banking and construction. This has impacted the supply chain and is increasing prices, which are ultimately passed on to consumers. In addition, the shortage of skilled labor has reduced productivity and is hurting the economy as a whole. The government is seeking to address these issues, but the problem is more complex than simply hiring more workers. This will require a broad coalition of businesses and individuals to work together to find solutions.