A domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block, each face of which is divided into halves, one being blank and the other marked by dots resembling those on dice. The word may also refer to a game played with a set of these small blocks, generally 28 in number. The word domino may also be used as a metaphor for something that has significant impact on others. For example, a person who makes a decision that affects others may be described as “throwing a domino into motion.”
Dominoes were invented in the mid-18th century in Italy and France, and were introduced to England toward the end of that period. They are most commonly used for playing positional games, in which each player places a domino edge to edge against another so that their numbers match or form some specified total.
The most common set of dominoes consists of 28 double-six tiles, but many players use progressively larger sets with more and more tiles. Dominoes can be made from a variety of natural materials, including bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, and dark hardwood such as ebony. In addition, there are some synthetic sets that look and feel very much like the natural materials; these are generally less expensive.
In a traditional European domino set, each domino represents one of the 21 possible results of throwing two six-sided dice. This is in contrast to the 28-piece sets found in the United States and other parts of the world today, which are generally based on the American game of double-nine. Most modern domino sets are made of polymer, but there are still some wooden and even marble sets on the market, particularly in Asia.
Domino’s growth strategy includes a focus on social media, which helps the company connect with customers and spread the word about their products. They also offer coupons and rewards through their website and mobile app to encourage customers to return to their stores and share their experiences with friends.
For writers, the idea of domino is a good one for describing how a scene can impact the story of a novel. In a mystery, for example, the heroine might uncover a clue that points to a suspect, but if her reaction in the next scene isn’t sufficiently clear or raises tension, there’s no point in continuing the investigation.
If she instead goes to the suspect’s home and tries to arrest him, she runs the risk of tripping legal and personal dominoes that haven’t yet settled. This can have a profound and dangerous effect on her, as well as the people around her. Writing a story requires careful thought and planning, whether you’re a pantser who writes off the cuff or a plotter who uses Scrivener to help you outline your novel. Regardless of how you do it, the goal is to get your scenes into proper sequence and order so that they add up to a compelling whole.
