Dominoes are small squares of wood or other materials, with one side bearing an arrangement of dots (also called pips) and the other blank or identically patterned. These pips, which may be colored black or white, form the identity of each domino, and they are arranged with one another in a variety of patterns and configurations to form a game board for various games.

Traditionally, dominoes are made from bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell, ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony. In modern times, polymer materials such as plastic are also used. The use of natural materials provides a unique look to the sets. The resulting pieces are often heavier and feel more substantial than those made from polymer, making them a desirable collectible.

There are many different types of domino games, and each has its own set of rules. The game is typically played on a flat surface such as a table or floor, with each player drawing a hand of tiles. Each tile has either a number of pips on one end or a blank side, and each domino must match its adjacent tiles in some fashion to form a chain of dominoes that runs the length of the playing area. Depending on the rules of the game, the shape of this snake-line may be subject to whims and constraints such as space limitations or the availability of certain tiles.

The first player to finish placing their tiles wins the game. The players then begin a new round. The winner of each round is the person who has scored the most points in that round. The number of rounds that are played depends on the specific game.

As a popular activity with both adults and children, dominoes are an ideal way to develop math skills and motor coordination. In addition to teaching counting, number writing and early addition, domino games can also encourage social interaction between peers.

While the earliest records of dominoes date to the mid-18th century in Italy and France, they probably arrived in England at some point during the late 18th Century, possibly via French prisoners. The game grew in popularity among English inns and taverns.

Domino is an excellent example of the “domino effect.” The principle, in which one small trigger causes a series of larger events to occur, is widely applied in many fields of study and business. The term can also be used to describe an individual’s success in a particular endeavor, such as becoming president of the United States.