Dominos are small, rectangular blocks that are used for various games. The blocks are typically made of a hard, rigid material, such as wood or plastic. They can be lined up in long rows or stacked on end. Normally, a domino set consists of 28 tiles, but there are larger sets available for games with more than two players.
One type of domino game is called a “concentration game,” which is played with a double-six set. Each player draws seven tiles from the stock. After drawing the tiles, the goal is to add up the total of the open-end pips on a layout multiple of five.
Other types of domino games include scoring and trick-taking. A matador is one such game, where the goal is to play a number that totals seven when added to an end. There are also Chinese domino games like Che Deng and Pai Gow.
Traditionally, European-style dominoes were made of dark hardwood such as ebony. However, other materials can be used. Plastic and bone are two common options.
Traditional domino sets have unique pieces for each possible combination of numbers. In addition, some large domino sets use Arabic numerals instead of pips.
Another type of domino game is called a solitaire game. Players must complete a specified number of tiles in order to win the game. The game can be very complex, but it can be fun to learn.
One of the most popular types of domino games is the scoring game. This is played with a double-nine or double-six set. When the first domino in the line is tipped, the next domino in the line also tips, and so on. Once the chain of dominoes starts to tip, it begins to fall, and so on, until the entire set has fallen.
The most basic variant of the domino game is for two players. However, the game can be played with three, four, or five players. If you have a large group, you may want to play with a larger set, such as a double-21 or double-18.
Dominos can be found in many countries around the world. They were first invented in Italy in the early 18th century, then in France, and eventually spread throughout the world. Some regions adopted the game as a way to circumvent religious proscriptions against playing cards.
During the mid-18th century, dominoes began to appear in American literature. Several years later, they spread to Germany and Austria. It was in the latter country that they were introduced to England. By the late 1700s, they were also being imported from French prisoners of war.
Originally, dominoes were meant to look like a priest’s cape. They were then made of ivory and ebony black. But over time, they became a popular game among peasants. As a result, the word domino was introduced to the French language.
Although the name has many different meanings, it originally meant “masquerade mask.” It was recorded in the Dictionnaire de Trevoux in 1771. Eventually, the term was shortened to its current pronunciation: pu.