Dominoes are small rectangular blocks used to play a game of skill and chance. They are also called bones, pieces, men, or stones and are usually made of a hard material such as wood or bone. Each domino has an identifying pattern on one side and is blank or identically patterned on the other. In addition, each domino has an arrangement of spots, like those on a die, that indicate its number value.
The main objective of domino is to build a chain of dominoes that will eventually come crashing down. Each player takes turns placing a tile on the table and positioning it so that its matching end touches a domino already in place. In this way, a snake-like line of dominoes develops. The tiles must be matched with the same pips and positioned correctly so that there is no gap between adjacent tiles.
When the first domino is tipped over, it sets off a chain reaction that causes all of the other dominoes to tip over. This is how the domino effect is named, and it is what makes the game so much fun! Stacking the dominoes on end and creating complex designs is another popular activity with this game.
In order for a domino to fall, it must have potential energy, or stored energy based on its position. When a domino is standing upright, it has this energy because it is resisting the pull of gravity. Once it is tipped over, however, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, or energy of motion. This new energy allows the domino to push on its neighbors, and the chain reaction continues until all of the dominoes have fallen.
There are many different games that can be played with domino, and the rules vary slightly depending on the type of game being played. For instance, in some games the first player must draw a domino from the stock and place it so that it is touching a previous tile with matching pips. Then the next player must place a tile on top of that, so that both matching ends are touching. The players continue this process until all of the tiles are played and the domino chain has reached its desired length.
Some games also involve a count of the pips at each end of the line of play as the game progresses. The simplest way to calculate this is by counting the pips on both ends of a domino that has been played. A domino that is a spinner can be played on all four sides, but it is important to note that only the numbers on two of its sides are counted for scoring purposes.
Whether you are writing your novel off the cuff or using a detailed outline, determining what will happen in the story is a challenge that all writers face. The key to plotting a successful story is understanding how to use the domino effect to create a natural, dynamic sequence of events that will keep your audience interested and engaged.