Domino is a game in which people or machines place domino tiles edge-to-edge to form lines that fall when pushed. These are often set up to create designs that can include straight or curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or 3D structures like towers and pyramids. In the game, players try to knock down all of their tiles before their opponent does. Domino art is also a popular hobby in which people or groups of people try to make the most complicated designs they can.
The most basic Western domino set consists of 28 dominoes with different combinations of dots on each end (also called spots). Each domino is normally double the length of a square, and each side features a number from zero to nine. This number indicates the value of one domino relative to the next, and is usually called its rank or weight. The most common dominoes have five pips on both sides, although some sets use six or more pips and others have blank faces.
A domino is usually about the same size as a standard playing card, although larger ones are sometimes used. In some games, dominoes are stacked to form structures such as castles and cities. Larger dominoes are used to make impressive displays and may be called a “Domino effect.” This type of domino display is especially common at public events such as fairs or festivals.
In many different countries and languages, domino is played in schools as a way to teach math and problem-solving skills. The game also helps children learn the concept of sequence and pattern.
While the original domino game involved simple addition and subtraction, there are now a wide variety of complex dominoes that allow for more precise manipulation of the system and greater creativity in design. Some of these are designed for specific types of games, such as tic-tac-toe or a variation on solitaire where each player has to form a line of matching colored pieces before their opponents can.
There are even dominoes with a built-in computer to keep score and help people with disabilities play the game. In fact, there is an entire industry that specializes in producing dominoes and related products for people with special needs.
Writing a novel involves putting together a series of scenes that connect to each other, just like a row of dominoes. If you don’t logically link your scenes, your story may feel disjointed or confusing.
Whether you compose your manuscript off the cuff or work from a detailed outline, thinking about how your scenes fit together can be useful for improving the quality of your writing.
For example, a high-action scene should be followed by softer scenes that give readers insight into character motivation and emotion. Also, a sequence of scenes should ideally build to a dramatic or emotional climax that is then resolved in the following scene.
