Domino is a type of tile game that can be used to build long lines of blocks or shapes. It can also be used to play games of chance or skill, including domino solitaire and trick-taking games. The game is so popular that it has inspired many variations, and even whole families of games involving the use of dominoes. It has also inspired the expression “domino effect,” which describes any event that leads to larger–or even catastrophic–consequences.
Dominoes are a set of rectangular plastic or wood-like tiles, normally twice as long as they are wide. Each is marked with a number of spots or pips on each end, and the value of a tile is based on its total number of pips. A domino is considered to have more value if it has more pips than another piece, and it can be distinguished from other pieces by its “ends” (the sides that face the player). Dominoes are stacked on their ends in long rows to create large constructions. One of the most famous Domino constructions is the double-six set, which consists of 28 tiles that are arranged in a square to form a base and a row of eight columns of six tiles each. The rest of the tiles are arranged in a “boneyard” or “stock,” and each player draws seven from this stock to start the game.
Many people have played with Dominoes as children, building long lines of dominoes by tipping the first tile ever-so-slightly to cause them all to fall. The joy of watching a series of dominoes cascade down in a rhythmic pattern is what gives rise to the phrase “domino effect.” This expression can apply to any event that causes other events to follow in similar, orderly ways.
Some learning challenges are like falling dominos: a single small movement can impact the entire line, causing students to become overloaded cognitively. This often happens when teachers attempt to compensate for a student’s learning differences by giving them extra work or using adaptive software. This can lead to a cycle where students do not learn the skills they need and ultimately fail to thrive in school.
Career mercenary Domino (Neena Thurman) began her career as the bodyguard of NSA scientist Milo Thurman, but their relationship ended when an A.I.M. raid forced him into deeper government cover. She later joined the mercenary group Wild Pack, which was later renamed Six Pack, and became an ally of the time-traveling mutant Cable (Nathan Summers). After she disabled a techno-organic combat droid that was being controlled by rogue CIA agent Ekatarina Gryaznova, Domino was recruited to join X-Force. She and the team helped foil an anti-American terrorist plot by Flag-Smasher, and Domino later killed him to avenge his death. Domino and Cable later fought against the emotion-manipulating psychopath Copycat. In addition, she has worked for the Hong Kong branch of X-Corporation.