Dominoes are a type of set of game pieces that can be used in a variety of games. They are typically divided into two squares. They are made from dark hardwood, usually ebony or ivory. The most common type of domino set is double-nine, which contains 55 tiles. They can be played with two to four players.
Most domino sets contain pips that are marked. Each tile has a different arrangement of pips. They can also be divided into suits, which are represented by a number. For example, a tile that has three pips in a suit of 0 is a blank.
The basic rules of play for dominoes are simple. Each player takes a fixed number of tiles, but the players must place them in a specific way. The first player places a piece, and then the next player in line places a similar piece. If a domino is tipped, the other dominoes in line will fall down.
There are many types of dominoes, with the most popular being scoring games. These are a variation on traditional card games. The object of the game is to score the most points. Depending on the game, players may take less dominoes in the beginning, or more.
There are many variations of dominoes, including trick-taking dominoes and solitaire dominoes. In some cases, both players must chip out a piece. Others require only one player to chip out. Some versions of dominoes allow the pieces to be stacked on the ends in long lines. In other cases, they are stacked on the top, bottom, and sides.
In the most basic of the dominoes games, a block-and-draw game, all the players start with the same number of tiles. They must then place the tiles in a way that one or more matching ends are adjacent. The number of spots that each side has is also important. If the total is less than the total of the adjacent faces, then the player is a winner. If the total is more than the total of the adjacent faces, then that person is a loser.
In another variant, the concentration game, the player must be able to place a tile that has at least 12 pips. Normally, the player is allowed to place a double. A double is a tile that is always placed across the end of the chain. In this case, the player must place the double perpendicular to the original double, at the middle of the chain.
Most dominoes are made to be twice as long as they are wide. They are also marked with identifying marks on one side. They are arranged in a specific way, and are used in games to represent nerve cells or a masquerade costume. The game was first invented in Italy and spread throughout France and England by the late 1700s.
The name “domino” dates back to 1771, when it appeared in the dictionary Dictionnaire de Trevoux. It originally referred to a cape worn by priests and later to a mask. The word was popular among peasants in the 18th century, when it was a popular form of entertainment.