The game of dominoes is a family of tile-based games. Also known as gaming pieces, dominoes are rectangular tiles with two square ends and a number of spots printed on each one. The object of the game is to match as many tiles as possible in a row, and score points for each tile.
There are many different variations of the game. For example, trick-taking and solitaire domino games can differ widely from one another. These variations are all adapted from other card games, and they were originally played in certain regions to circumvent religious prohibitions of playing cards. Other variations include “concentration” and “double-six” games, in which the player must have a total pip count of twelve.
European-style dominoes are generally made from bone or ebony. They are also often made from mother of pearl. Their materials were chosen to avoid scratching the tabletop. These are not as common as the more common American versions. However, they are still a popular variant of the game. And, they come in many different sizes.
The domino game’s history is largely obscure. Origins are uncertain, but it is thought that the game was first played in France around 1750. The French word domino (pronounced “doh-noh-noh-noh”) originally meant a long hooded cloak or masquerade mask. Later, the game spread to Europe and Asia and eventually became a worldwide sensation.
The game of domino is a game of strategy and chance. Players place their tiles on the table and then try to match them up with the tiles of the other player. While the value of a single tile is not revealed, the value of the tiles in other players’ hands is known as the score. However, it is also important to keep in mind that if a player plays a domino with the same number on both ends, he is said to have “stitched up” the ends.
Western dominoes first appeared in the mid-18th century in France and Italy. Later, French prisoners brought the game to England. Nowadays, the game is most commonly used in positional games, in which players place dominos edge to edge against each other. Their goal is to match up as many of their faces as possible in order to form a particular total.
A game of dominoes can be played with two players or four players. There are numerous variations of dominoes, and the basic rules are to place dominoes in the same order as the other players on the table. In addition to playing individually, you can also play in two-player teams, where each player takes one domino.
The end of a domino game depends on the player’s placement of the last domino and the amount of dots he has in his hand. The winner receives a score equal to the total number of dots remaining on his opponent’s hand.