What Is Dominos?

A domino is a small rectangular block of wood or plastic, normally with one or more groups of dots on each side. It is used for playing various games. These games may be simple or complex, and can involve any number of players. Dominos can be arranged into straight lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, stacked walls or even 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. Some are played by two people while others are played in teams.

Many domino games have specific rules about when a player may play a tile. For example, some games require that a player must play a double before the next player plays a single. This is known as “the set,” “the down” or “the lead.” Other games allow a player to play a double at any time during the game, depending on the rules.

Most modern dominoes are made of plastic, but they can also be made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony with contrasting black or white pips (inlaid or painted). Natural materials give domino sets a more elegant appearance, and the pieces usually weigh more than those made from polymers.

The word domino is thought to have come from the French word for cape, because early on it denoted a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. It later denoted a playing piece that contrasted with a priest’s white surplice.

Dominoes are usually twice as wide as they are tall. They can be stacked in a line or placed side by side, and each end features a number of spots (or pips) which indicate its value. In general, a domino with more pips has a higher value than one with fewer pips.

A player can win a game of domino by reaching a point at which no other player can proceed (called a blocked game). Some games also award the winners to those who have the fewest total points in their remaining hand or set.

When a player draws more dominoes for his hand than he is entitled to, the extra tiles are called an overdraw. In this case, the player to his right takes the overdrawn dominoes without looking at them, and they must be returned to the stock before any more players draw.

The most common domino sets are double-twelve or double-nine, and they contain 91 tiles. More elaborate and expensive dominoes are often crafted from exotic woods such as ebony, hyacinth, rosewood or jadeite; stones such as marble, granite, soapstone or onyx; metals such as brass or pewter; ceramic clay; and other materials such as glass and crystal.

The most popular domino games fall into four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games and round games. In bidding games, a player may bid for the right to play first by placing his domino in front of those in the line of play. Once the bid is placed, the first domino must be a double and must touch each of the other pieces.