A domino is a small, rectangular piece of rigid material used in many games. They are also known as playing cards, bones, and tiles. Typically made from dark hardwood such as ebony, they have a distinctive line down the middle.

Although their name originates in France, dominos have spread throughout the world. They are generally divided into two squares, called “ends.” On one side of each end are a pair of identifying marks. The dominos themselves are normally twice as long as they are wide.

In games, players can place the dominos edge-to-edge against each other, or in long rows. Once all of the dominos have been placed, they are pushed forward by varying force. If the first domino in the row tips over, it will cause the second to tip over and so on.

When you play a game of dominos, you are trying to get a certain number of points. Each of the tiles in a set has a different value, and the player who gets the highest total wins. There are three main types of domino games, each with a different character. These include trick-taking, scoring, and layout games.

The most basic variant of a domino game is one that involves two players. In this scenario, each player draws seven tiles from a stock. Then each player has to choose six of the tiles and add them together.

The most popular form of domino games is scoring, where the player is trying to score as many points as possible. There are three ways to score, including using five or more of a particular color. Another type of domino game is 5s-and-3s, which involves dividing a group of five or more into two tiles. However, there are many more games that involve dominos. Some examples are Pai Gow, Che Deng, and Tien Gow.

Other games include the concentration variation, where players try to draw a set of 12 pips. The concentration variation is played with a double-six domino set. This set has 190 tiles, which is a larger amount than the set required for the standard domino game.

Dominoes can be made of a variety of materials, from plastic to wood. Some people believe that the originals were made from ivory. Many have a black or white color and bear a marking or arrangement of pips on each.

Some larger sets use Arabic numerals instead of pips. But most traditional domino sets have a single, corresponding face for each of the numbers in the set. Those that aren’t marked have blank or pipped ends.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the domino is the chain reaction that occurs when the first domino in a line tips over. The next domino in the line is pushed over and so on, until all the dominos have been tipped over. It is also possible to knock a domino down in a long row, which can be a lot of fun.