Domino is a game in which dominoes are stacked on end to form long lines. When one domino is tipped over, it causes the next domino in line to tip over and so on. Dominoes can be arranged in complex patterns to create stunning displays. The domino effect is also used as a metaphor for events that have far-reaching consequences. As a writer, understanding how to use the domino effect in your work can help you build scenes that are compelling and well-structured.

Dominoes have been used for centuries as a table game and are now popular around the world. They can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common are clay, wood, or plastic. Some modern sets are also made from metals, including brass and pewter.

Most dominoes feature a line in the middle to divide them visually into two squares, called ends. Each end has a value, indicated by an arrangement of spots (or “pips”) that is unique to each domino. The value of a domino may range from six to zero, or the opposite: a blank, or zero. The value of a domino is not always consistent, but the more pips a domino has, the higher its value and prestige.

The value of a domino is determined by its position in the set, and its role in the overall strategy of the game. Each player must decide how to play his or her dominoes in order to win the game. In many games, the goal is to reach a certain score before the opposing player does. If the player reaches that score first, the victory belongs to that player.

A domino’s value may also be based on its status as a symbol of a particular political idea or movement. For example, in the 1970s, the United States government justified its efforts to destabilize the regime of Salvador Allende in Chile by arguing that it would lead to a chain reaction with Communist revolutions in other countries, similar to the fall of the Berlin Wall. This theory became known as the domino theory.

In business, Domino’s CEO David Brandon and his successor, Dominic Doyle, have implemented a number of new changes in the company based on the principle of listening to customers. By focusing on customer complaints, the Domino’s leadership team has been able to implement solutions that have been very successful.

In addition to the classic blocking and scoring games, Dominoes can also be used to play positional games in which a domino is placed edge to edge against another with the same value so that the resulting pair of dominoes forms some specified total or pattern. This type of game can be played with a single domino set or with extended sets such as the double-twelve, double-nine, and double-15. Extended sets allow players to pick from a larger number of tiles and thus increase the chances that the pairs of matching tiles will be found.