Dominoes are small, rectangular blocks of rigid material such as wood or plastic used to play a game. Also known as bones, men, cards, or pieces, they are typically twice as long as they are wide and feature a line in the middle to divide them visually into two square ends, each having a value based on the number of dots (called pips) on either side. They are normally arranged in a row with adjacent pairs touching on one end and separated by gaps at the other ends, which may be filled with additional dominoes or left empty.
The earliest dominoes were molded of clay and later made from wood or bone. Most modern dominoes are made of polymer or another durable plastic material that is impervious to moisture. They are produced in large quantities by computer-controlled machines and assembled in a variety of ways. The most popular type of domino is the double-six, which has six pips on each end and a blank or zero on the other. The number of pips on the exposed ends of a domino is its rank, which may determine the order in which it is played or the score it earns in a game.
Each domino is a link in a chain, or sequence, which must be complete for the game to continue. In most games, the players alternate turns placing a domino edge to edge against another domino. Each tile must match the other in a specific way, such as one’s touch one’s or two’s touch two’s. The first player to place a domino that matches a previous domino wins the round.
If a player cannot match a previous domino or does not want to, he can “chip out” by playing his last domino. This may cause the remaining players to chip out, too, although some games only allow a single player to do this. When the game reaches a point where no player can take a turn, the players may agree to play for points or to stop the game altogether.
A Domino Effect is a term used to describe the way in which one small action can initiate a series of events that change your entire life. For example, the small daily act of making your bed can lead to a whole new self-image that will eventually impact other parts of your life.
When applied to business, the domino effect is an effective strategy for achieving goals and establishing good habits. For example, starting the day by addressing a critical problem will create momentum that will carry you through the rest of your business tasks. By focusing on one priority each day, you can build your business like a domino – brick by brick. This can include building your email list, writing articles and updating social media to expand your reach. These activities will gradually bring in clients and help you achieve your business goals.