Domino is a card-like game in which players compete to build a tower of dominoes. A domino is a rectangular tile with a number on each end. The tile is marked on one side with two groups of spots, representing the results of a roll of two dice.
There are several variants of the game, with some games requiring both players to chip out the pieces. Traditionally, European-style dominoes are made of dark hardwood such as ebony, ivory or bone. They are shuffled before the game begins.
Most games require a specific number of tiles. Typically, a game will involve drawing seven tiles from stock. Before the game, players will agree on a target score. If a player can reach that score before the game is over, he or she wins. Several rounds can be played before a single player reaches that goal.
The most basic type of domino game involves placing a tile on the edge of the table. Then, the player must play the tile so it is perpendicular to the line that is running down the center of the board. This tile is commonly referred to as a “bone”. In this variation, the player must not flip the tile over. However, the player can knock on the tile to make it fall.
Doubles are used in the Concentration variant. A set of doubles consists of a series of tiles, each laid perpendicular to the line that runs down the middle of the board. Each of these tiles is worth a specified amount of pips, which can be counted as one or two.
In the majority of domino games, there are only two players. However, in some cases, more than two players will participate. For example, Five-Up is a version of the game played with a variety of multicolored tiles. Similarly, there are several versions of solitaire domino games.
Another type of domino game is a trick-taking game. One of the players must match a domino’s end to part of the first tile to complete the chain. Alternatively, a player can take a tile that is not in use and add it to any existing line. Some large domino sets use Arabic numerals instead of pips.
Interestingly, some domino sets are blank. This can be a good thing, as it allows the player to shuffle the tiles in different ways and create different shapes. These sets are usually too big to fit into most games.
Other types of domino games are based on playing cards. While they share many similarities with traditional card games, they are not entirely similar. Instead, they feature a unique set of rules, which allow for tests of patience and skill. Domino games are most popular in Latin America.
Whether you are a fan of card games or not, a game of dominoes is a good test of both math skills and patience. It also teaches players about number recognition. But, be careful: dominoes are long, so it can take some time to set them up.