Domino is a small, flat rectangular block used as a gaming object. Its pips are inlaid or painted to show their number. Often, the number of pips on one end of a domino is double that of another. Also known as bones, pieces, men, or stones, dominoes are available in a variety of materials and colors. They are usually made from rigid material such as wood or bone, although plastic, porcelain and resin are also used. Almost all of the more popular games can be played with domino. These include bidding games, blocking games, and scoring games. There are also some games of a very different character, such as solitaire and trick-taking games that are adaptations of card games.
A domino’s inertia makes it resist motion unless an outside force acts on it. But a tiny nudge can tip it over its center of gravity, making it fall. This simple principle is at the heart of many domino sets.
To determine who will make the first play, players draw a domino from the stock. Usually, the player draws a domino that is heaviest. Then the player places it face up on the table and begins playing according to the rules of the game. During the course of the game, each player may buy additional tiles from the stock. The winning player’s score is the total of all the pips remaining in his opponent’s hands at the end of the hand or the game.
When a player has a set of six matching dominoes, he can declare that he is “out.” At this point, the other players must decide whether to take the dominoes that the declarer is holding and continue play or allow the remaining tiles to remain in the stock. Depending on the rules of the game, some of these tiles may be kept and played later or can be discarded without penalty.
Lily Hevesh creates spectacular domino displays for movies, TV shows, and events. She has even helped set a Guinness World Record for the most dominoes toppled in a circular arrangement: 76,017. Hevesh starts each project by considering its theme or purpose, then brainstorms images and words that could represent it.
She then plans how to arrange the dominoes. She uses fractions to help her calculate how many dominoes she needs for the project and how they’ll be arranged. This helps ensure that, if she or a teammate accidentally knocks over part of the installation, it won’t bring the whole thing crashing down.
Domino’s Pizza has a strong leadership structure that includes listening to employees. The company is also a champion of its customers. Its CEO, Don Meij, appeared on the television show Undercover Boss where he sent himself into several of its restaurants to observe employees and listen to customer feedback. The company’s strong values have led to its being recognized as a top workplace. They have helped it keep its competitive edge and attract new employees.