Domino is a flat, thumb-sized rectangular block of wood or ivory, or of other materials, with one face bearing an arrangement of spots or “pips” (usually 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, or 9 dots) and the other blank or identically patterned. 28 such dominoes make a full set. A player or group of players can use these to play a wide variety of games, usually by matching the ends of dominoes in alternating turns. They can also be laid out in a variety of linear and angular patterns to form designs, or used as a map for a game in which pieces must reach specific points before the game is completed.
Like playing cards, of which they are a variant, dominoes can be divided into suits. Each domino bears a particular number of pips, and belongs to either the suit of that number or the suit of blanks, also known as the zero suit. There are also special tiles in some sets that are not members of any suit, and these can be used to create “special” combinations of ends in a game.
Most dominoes are made from polymer, a material that is durable and inexpensive, but historically they have been produced in other materials, including bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl or MOP), ivory, wood such as ebony or pewter, or metals such as brass or pewter. Sets made from these other materials are more expensive, but they can also be more beautiful and have a heavier feel to them.
Some of the most popular domino games involve emptying one’s hand while blocking other players’ play, while others are scoring games where the total of a line of tiles or tile halves determines a winner. There are also a number of domino puzzles, such as mazes and other brain-teasing tasks.
Domino’s has been able to overcome these challenges by sticking to its core values, particularly the value of championing its employees and listening to them. For example, the company recently implemented a new college recruiting system, relaxed dress code, and leadership training program. These changes have helped the company stay on track for its goal of delivering pizza within 30 minutes or less.
For novelists, thinking of scene dominoes can be helpful to ensure that each scene supports the story’s main themes and is logically connected to scenes ahead of it. Whether you are a pantster who writes off the cuff or a plotter who uses outlines or software such as Scrivener, considering how to apply this concept can help you avoid wasting time on scenes that don’t contribute to the overall story. Rather, like the domino effect in a game, each scene should naturally lead to the next in an impactful way. That’s what makes a story compelling!