Dominoes

Dominospiel

Benen dominospel in houten doos, objectnr 77675

Dominoes

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Bemanning tijdens een spel domino aan boord van een schip TMnr 60008507

Friedrich Sturm - Domino Players

Dominoes is a family of tile-based games played with rectangular "domino" tiles. Each domino is a rectangular tile with a line dividing its face into two square ends. Each end is marked with a number of spots (also called pips, nips, or dobs) or is blank. The backs of the dominoes in a set are indistinguishable, either blank or having some common design. A domino set is a generic gaming device, similar to playing cards or dice, in that a variety of games can be played with a set.

History

The history of dominoes dates back to the Song dynasty in China, where it was invented in the 12th century. The game later spread to Europe in the 18th century, particularly in Italy, before becoming popular worldwide. The word "domino" is believed to have derived from the Latin dominus (meaning master or lord), indicating the game's originally exclusive association with the nobility.

Gameplay

The most popular domino games are blocking games and scoring games. In blocking games, the objective is to empty one's hand while blocking the opponent's. In scoring games, the goal is to match pieces in a way that results in scoring, with the gameplay being similar to that of card games.

Basic Rules

The game starts with each player drawing a certain number of domino pieces. The player with the highest double, or if no doubles, the heaviest piece, typically starts the game. The next player must then place a matching domino next to the first piece. Play continues in this manner, with players adding matching tiles to the open ends of the game layout on the table.

Variations

There are many variations of domino games, including:

• Draw Dominoes: Players draw from the unused tiles when they cannot play.
• Block Dominoes: A version without drawing extra tiles.
• Mexican Train: A popular variant in the United States, which includes trains that can be added to by any player.
• Domino Whist: A variant that incorporates bidding and trump suits.

Domino Sets

Domino sets vary in size from the traditional 28-piece set (double-six) to larger sets such as double-nine (55 tiles), double-twelve (91 tiles), double-fifteen (136 tiles), and double-eighteen (190 tiles) sets. The larger sets are used in games that involve more players or for longer domino games.

Cultural Significance

Dominoes hold cultural significance in many parts of the world. In Latin America and the Caribbean, dominoes are not just a game but a social activity, often associated with family gatherings and festivals. Similarly, in Europe and North America, dominoes have been a popular pastime for centuries, enjoyed in both casual and competitive settings.

Competitions and Organizations

There are numerous domino competitions and organizations worldwide, including the World Domino Federation, which oversees international competitions. Domino tournaments are popular, with players competing in various game formats.

In Popular Culture

Dominoes have made appearances in literature, film, and music, often symbolizing strategy, human connection, or the domino effect in narrative contexts.

See Also

• Board games
• Tile-based game
• List of domino games
• Strategy game