Domino is a game played with small rectangular blocks called tiles. The individual domino pieces are usually twice as long as they are wide. They are marked with pips (small dots) in two different colors, usually white and black. The tiles may also be engraved with other symbols, such as hearts and diamonds. A domino set includes a standard number of tiles—28 in most sets. The standard game uses four players, each taking 12 tiles at the beginning. Other games can be played with fewer or more dominoes. Some games use the whole set; others require a partial set or a specific subset of the dominos, such as double-twelve (91 tiles) or a double-nine (55 tiles).
Dominoes have been used since ancient times for ceremonial purposes and for gambling. They are popular with children and can be a fun family activity that is easy to learn. There are many different rules and strategies for playing the game, but the goal is always to set up a chain of dominoes that will eventually topple over.
When the first domino is tipped over, it transfers potential energy to the next domino in line. This transfer of energy causes the next domino to tip, which transfers even more energy to the next, and so on until the entire set of dominos falls over. When the dominoes are carefully spaced, they can form lines that create beautiful patterns when they fall. Domino art can be incredibly complex and creative—it has been used to make 3-D sculptures, curved lines that create shapes, and even stacked walls and pyramids.
The word “domino” is also a term for any action that causes a series of events that ultimately leads to greater consequences. This is sometimes referred to as the “domino effect” or a “chain reaction.” We all have seen domino constructions where, after tipping the first domino just so slightly, the rest fall in a beautiful cascade of rhythmic motion.
In a business context, the domino effect can be a positive or a negative. It depends on whether the actions you take are consistent with your values and mission. For example, if your company’s mission is to “Champion Our Customers,” you should listen and act on feedback that might lead to better customer service.
For example, if your employees complain about not being paid enough, you should consider introducing a pay raise or other benefits to address the problem. This will be a positive domino that supports your company’s mission and can help improve employee morale.
Another way to use the domino principle is to think of your story as a sequence of scenes. Each scene should have a clear purpose that contributes to the overall story. The best way to do this is to plot your story ahead of time. If you’re a pantser—that is, if you don’t write an outline or use software such as Scrivener to help you plan your novel—you should still try to keep your scenes consistent with one another and make sure that each scene adds tension and makes the reader care about what happens next.
