The domino is a small, flat, thumbsized rectangular block with one or more blank or numbered surfaces, bearing from two to six dots (or “pips”), that when set up in a straight or curved line causes other similar pieces to fall. A set of 28 such dominoes forms a basic set. Dominoes can be used for many games, including blocking, scoring, and trick-taking. They are also popular for home decoration and as building blocks.
Domino is a type of game in which players score points by laying down a series of tiles in either a straight or curved line. A player takes turns placing the tiles, and he or she must match each tile’s end to another. The number of pips on the matching ends determines how far the next piece will fall.
In this type of game, the first player to place all of his or her tiles wins. The remaining tiles are placed in the stock, from which the players draw at the beginning of each turn to determine who makes the first play. If there is a tie for the most tiles, it can be broken by drawing more tiles from the stock.
A set of dominoes can be a fun way to spend time with family and friends. The game can be played by a single person or by teams of two, three, or more people. There are numerous variants of this game, and each has its own rules. Some domino sets have a box with instructions for the game.
While the word domino is commonly associated with the game, the idiom also refers to any situation in which one event can trigger a chain of events that leads to an outcome. In political terms, this is known as the domino theory. It was a concept introduced by journalist William Alsop in a newspaper column, and later endorsed by President Dwight Eisenhower as a reason for the United States’ support of Ngo Dinh Diem’s regime in South Vietnam.
In writing, the domino effect is a good way to help readers understand the logic behind what your protagonist does and how that action can influence the next scene. If a character does something that runs against most readers’ expectations, you need to provide them with enough logic to let them forgive and keep liking him or her as the story progresses. Whether you use a detailed outline or write by the seat of your pants, considering the domino effect will help you plot scenes that are logically connected to those that come before them.