Dominoes are a type of game that involves placing tiles in a line to form a chain. The most common domino games are Block and Draw, which both use a standard set of dominoes. Both games require a good amount of concentration and skill. They also have many different variations, so be sure to understand the rules of your particular set before starting to play.
A Domino Effect occurs when a small event or act causes an avalanche of events that affect subsequent events in a similar fashion. This phenomenon is well-known in business and can be used to describe the impact of small changes on large groups of people. It is also commonly applied to a company’s culture and values. One example is when Domino’s Pizza CEO Jim Doyle listened to employee feedback and made changes in the company. These changes included relaxed dress codes and leadership training programs, and they led to an improved customer experience.
The word domino and the game both first appeared in France in the early 18th century, though they likely originated in Italy. Earlier, the word domino denoted a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. It may have even referred to a priest’s black domino that contrasted with his white surplice.
There are a great number of games that can be played with dominoes. The most popular in the West are the “block” and “draw” games. In these games each player begins with a fixed number of dominoes, and then adds to it by picking a sleeping domino from the boneyard that has a value that matches the end of a tile already played. A tile is considered to match a previous one if its number is the same or if it has a matching side, such as a double.
Whenever a player cannot place a new domino, they pass their turn. When all players have passed their turns, a winner is declared. The game is usually played with a standard domino set that includes 28 tiles. Other games use a smaller set, or use other types of dominoes, such as a double-nine or a double-12.
While most domino games involve placing a tile edge to edge against another, some involve moving tiles around. For example, in the scoring version of 5s-and-3s, players try to attach a new domino to the end of those already placed so that the sum of the ends is divisible by five or three. One point is scored each time this happens.
One way to create a domino effect in your own life is by breaking down big tasks into smaller ones. For example, if you have to complete a difficult project or task that takes a lot of work and time, break it down into its components. Then rank the component tasks from most important to least important. This will help you focus on the most important tasks first, and see them through to completion.