Domino is a game that involves placing dominoes edge to edge on the table in such a way that each end has a number of dots–called pips. The pips are used to identify the value of each domino. There are many different games that can be played with dominoes, but they all fit into four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games and round games. The rules of these games vary slightly from one place to another, but they all have very similar basic rules.
The dominoes that are used in most domino games are rectangular, with a line down the middle that separates it into two squares. Each side of the domino has a set of numbers from one to six, which are called pips. When a domino is placed on the table, the open end that faces up must be covered by a matching domino that has its pips facing down. This line of dominoes is called the “line of play.”
During the game, players may change their dominoes’ positions by “knocking” them off the table. When a player knocks off a domino, he or she must replace it with another tile from the hand that has its pips facing up, or with a blank. If a player cannot do this, the other players may decide to pass, to buy or not to buy. This will depend on the rules of the game.
Once a domino is on the table, players take turns making plays on it. The player who makes the first play is referred to as the “setter” or the “downer.” The next players must either follow the setter or block the setter from playing his or her tiles. A player may also make a misplay, which occurs when a player plays a domino out of turn or plays a domino that is not valid for the current game.
Dominoes can be made out of a variety of materials, from traditional woods to high-quality polymer plastics. Those made of natural materials have a more luxurious look and often have a heavier weight than those made of polymer plastic. These sets tend to be more expensive than those made of plastic.
Hevesh started collecting and building dominoes as a child, starting with her grandparents’ classic 28-piece set. By age 10, she had grown into a serious hobbyist, posting videos of her domino creations on YouTube. She now creates spectacular domino setups for movies, TV shows and events, including an album launch for pop singer Katy Perry.
Most dominoes are made of polymer plastic. There are also some sets that are made of other natural materials, such as marble, granite or soapstone; other woods (e.g., ash, oak or redwood); metals such as brass or pewter; and ceramic clay. Some people even use frosted glass or crystal to make dominoes. These types of dominoes have a more unique look, but they are typically much more expensive than those made of polymer plastic.