Domino is a family of tile games played on a board with one or more dominoes. Each domino has a distinctive pattern of spots, or “pips,” on its two sides. These spots are arranged in rows and columns, identical to the arrangement of numbers on a die. The game originated in China and was introduced to Europe in the 18th century. In some versions of the game, each player picks a domino from their hand and begins play by placing it edge to edge with another piece so that all adjacent pips match or form a specific total.
The game has many variations, with the most basic set consisting of a double-nine (21 tiles). Most games involve scoring points or blocking opponents’ play. Some, like bergen and muggins, determine point totals by counting the number of pips in a losing player’s hand; others, like chicken foot or Mexican train, use a different method of scoring.
In the mid- to late-19th century, the game was adapted for children by using a different color for each type of piece and modifying the rules of play so that winning players can score by completing a path or chain across the table. It was also used to teach simple addition and subtraction.
A domino can be made of any material, though wood and bone are the most common. Some sets have a painted design on the top surface. Other pieces have a natural wood grain. The pips are usually printed in white or black. Some sets have the pips inlaid or painted, while others have them set in clear resin. The pieces are held in place by a rectangular frame.
The word “domino” derives from the Latin word dominus, meaning master or ruler. The first domino was probably invented in China, and the Chinese ancestor of the European dominoes may have been a clay game similar to chinese mahjong. In the mid-18th century, dominoes were brought to Italy and France and later to England.
In 1967, Domino’s began franchising its pizza restaurants, opening its first franchise in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Its early success was due to the company’s focus on locating pizza shops near college campuses, where it could attract young customers who often did not cook at home and would be able to receive deliveries quickly.
Today, Domino’s employs more than 25,000 people in the United States and has more than 200,000 locations worldwide. The company continues to grow, even in a challenging economy. In 2019, it reported record-breaking profits following 30 consecutive quarters of positive US sales growth. Domino’s CEO, Steve Doyle, credits the company’s success to its commitment to customer service and innovative technology.