Domino is a fun and entertaining game for the entire family. Some people like to line up the dominoes in long rows and knock them down, while others play games with the individual pieces. Dominoes can also be used as building blocks or components of Rube Goldberg machines.
The word domino is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning “lord.” It originally denoted a garment worn over a priest’s surplice or a mask in carnival season or at a masquerade. The domino piece itself is reminiscent of that garment, with the black domino being a contrast to the white of the surplice.
There are several different types of domino games and each requires its own set of rules. Most games are played with a double six or a double nine set, though larger sets are available. The individual tiles are called dominoes, bones, tickets or spinners, and they can be found in many varieties of colors.
The individual pieces in a domino set must be shuffled before a game begins. The shuffled dominoes are then called the boneyard. Once a player has an opening double, for example a three or one-pip domino, they may then pick a domino from the boneyard and begin playing that domino in their turn. In some games, players take turns picking dominoes until one player plays all of their remaining tiles and wins the hand.
Most domino games fall into two main categories, blocking and scoring games. Blocking games involve emptying your own hand while preventing the opponent from playing a tile. Scoring games, such as bergen and muggins, determine points by counting the number of dots (or pips) on the exposed ends of the dominoes in the losing players’ hands.
A domino effect can be much bigger than you might think. In a video from 2009, University of British Columbia physicist Stephen Morris showed that the first domino in a series can knock down things more than a quarter of its size. He then built up a series of 13 dominoes, each a full 1.5 times bigger than the previous one. The resulting chain spanned more than 100 feet and weighed over 100 pounds.
One of the best ways to learn how to lead is by listening to the leaders who work around you. This principle is evident in a recent episode of the hit show Undercover Boss, where Domino’s CEO Don Meij sends his top managers into several restaurants to observe how they work with employees and customers. After seeing the good and the bad of how leadership is carried out, Meij implements new changes that are designed to make Domino’s a better place for its employees. He cites that leadership is more than just management and encourages employees to take control of their own destiny by taking action when needed. In turn, this creates a happier and more productive workplace.