A domino is a small, rectangular block used as gaming objects. They are also sometimes referred to as bones, pieces, men, or stones and are often stacked on end in long lines. When a domino is tipped over it causes the next domino in the line to tip, and so on until all of the dominoes have fallen over. The resulting pattern can be artistic and can create complex structures, such as spirals and towers.
Dominos are most commonly made of polymer materials such as plastic or resin, though they can also be created of natural materials like bone, ivory, or wood. They are typically painted in bright colors and can be glued together to form larger structures. They can be used to play a wide variety of games including simple layouts, blocking games, and scoring games.
The name domino is derived from the fact that each tile has a number of spots on one or more of its sides. Each spot corresponds to a particular suit, which is determined by the color or symbol printed on it. For example, a domino with white spots belongs to the suit of threes; one with black dots belongs to the suit of blanks, or the 0 suit. The most common domino sets commercially available are double six and double nine, with 28 and 55 tiles respectively. However, much larger sets exist which can be used for playing games involving several players.
In addition to being fun, dominoes can be used for educational purposes as a tool for teaching math and counting. They can also be used to teach the principles of chain reactions and the laws of physics. The most popular and well known use of domino is the classic game of dominoes, in which players score points by completing chains of dominoes. The game is very easy to learn and can be played on a tabletop or on the floor with dominoes laid out in a line.
Many people are inspired by the concept of the domino effect, in which a single act initiates a series of consequences, each of them larger than the original. For example, a person may start to make his or her bed each day. This small act, which has few outward visible consequences, can lead to a shift in personal beliefs. As the small behavior becomes ingrained, the person is likely to continue this new habit.
This type of domino effect can also be seen in the workplace. A person who begins a project at work may inspire other workers to take on additional tasks and create a positive cycle of progress. This can be a good thing, but it can also backfire when employees become overwhelmed. A business manager must be careful to balance the needs of each employee with the overall goals of the company. The best managers know when to nudge employees in the right direction and when to let them fly on their own.