Domino is a game of skill in which players match up domino pieces to form lines that increase in length. While there are many different games played with domino, most share the same basic rules. These rules are sometimes different from one region to another. The word “domino” is also used to describe a particular type of chess piece.
Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide and may have either a smooth or a textured surface. The pips (also called spots) on a domino can range in value from six to none or blank. The number of pips on each end is the domino’s rank or weight, and the total of all the pips on a domino is its value.
A domino may be made up of any number of sides, but it is most commonly made of rectangular pieces. It is also possible to make a domino from a circle or other shape. When a player plays a tile, it must touch both of the ends of the preceding domino to be valid. If a domino is played without touching the open end of an adjacent domino, it is said to be a misplay and must be recalled.
After the dominoes are shuffled, each player draws the number of tiles specified in the rules for the game being played and places them in front of himself. The player who draws the heaviest domino (either double or single) begins play. If a tie exists, the player drawing the highest double may begin. In some games, a player must draw new hands in the event of a tie and must then follow the rules for that game to determine who may make the first play.
When a player draws more tiles for his hand than is permitted by the rules of a given game, it is called an overdraw and must be discovered before the next player makes a play. Overdraws can be punished in a variety of ways, depending on the game’s rules. In some cases, the overdrawn tile is simply discarded or may be placed at the back of the player’s line. In other cases, the overdrawn tile must be exposed to all the players and its value added to the score of the player who makes the next play.
In most domino games, a line of dominoes is formed on the table as each player matches and plays his tile. This line of dominoes is often referred to as the layout, string, or line of play. This line may be joined with other dominoes in the same manner as it is joined to the previous tile played.
In order to create a longer line of play, some dominoes are extended by adding additional pips to an existing end. This increases the number of unique combinations of ends and thus the total number of dominoes that may be played. The most common extended sets add three more pips to the maximum value on each end of a domino.
