Domino is a tile-based game that can be played with two or more people. It has a variety of rules, but most of them fit into one of four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games, and round games. Depending on the game, a player can win by taking all of an opponent’s pieces or achieving a set goal.
The domino effect is a concept that can be applied to any situation in which a small trigger may cause a chain reaction. It is often used in politics to explain the consequences of a policy that could lead to unforeseen events. It is also used in fiction to describe a series of actions that lead from one scene to another. Whether you are a “pantser” who writes by the seat of your pants or use a software program like Scrivener, understanding how to incorporate the Domino Effect into your story can help you build tension and create a compelling plot.
When you play a domino game, you will begin with an unfinished set of tiles called the stock. The stock is shuffled and each player draws the number of tiles they are entitled to, as determined by the rules of the particular game being played. A player may draw more than he is allowed to, which is called an overdraw. The player must discard these extra tiles without looking at them and the deck should be reshuffled before the next player draws his hand.
After a player has drawn his hand, he places the first tile on the table. This is referred to as making the first move. The person who makes the first move is known as the setter, downer or leader. The tile must be placed so that the pips on both sides match and, if it is a double, the matching halves touch completely. The leader must also make sure that any additional pieces that have not been placed are in a position to be joined to the chain later in the turn.
Once a domino is joined to the chain, it can be played in any direction. The chain can also be broken or reformed as the players make their turns. If a domino is played out of turn, the leader must return it to the deck and the player to his left should make an additional move.
Most domino games are won by achieving a set goal. This can be done by claiming all of an opponent’s pieces or by reaching the end of the line of play, which is sometimes called a “snake.” It is important to remember that a domino must always remain touching the chain, even when it is not being used to score points. A domino that is not touched by the following player will lose its point value and may even be removed from the board. This is called a misplay. The governing body of the game sets standards for how misplays are to be dealt with.