The domino (or dominoes) is a small, rectangular block that is used for games. They are often made of rigid material, such as plastic or bone, but can also be constructed of wood. Traditionally, they were made of ivory or mother of pearl oyster shell.

The game has several variants, but most commonly involves placing a number of tiles in a line, or row. These are then pushed forward by increasing force. Sometimes, the dominoes are stacked on each other in a long line. Depending on the rules of the game, players can use them to create different shapes. There are many other uses for dominoes, too.

Some of the more traditional types of dominoes include the Chinese “dotted cards” and the European style, which typically are made of dark hardwood or bone. In both versions, a single tile can be either the suit of a numbered card or blank. A single tile can also be in two suits.

Many modern versions of the game involve using computers to play. One such version is called Five-Up, which is played with a double-six set. Players try to get their total number of pips to match that of the first domino.

Another variant is Concentration, which involves a double-six set. In this variant, each player draws seven tiles from stock. Each player can then see the value of the tiles of his or her opponent. Once the count is finished, the next player must draw a domino that matches the number of pips in the previous domino.

Another common type of domino game is solitaire. It is played by placing the dominoes face-down in a stack. When the first domino is tipped, the next domino in the stack is tipped, and so on. If all the dominoes in a given pile are tipped, then the game is over.

Dominoes can be played online or by playing with friends. Most of these games use a double-six set, though some larger sets are used for games with more than two players. Other popular variations include games that involve lining up the tiles, or trick-taking.

To play a traditional game, each player chooses seven dominoes. Then, the players place them edge to edge against each other. As each tile is placed in the pile, the players can use their knowledge of the game to decide whether it is worth it to push the dominoes farther or to let them fall.

The game spread across Europe, including England, by the late 1700s. Some of the prisoners of war who arrived in England brought the game with them. By the mid-18th century, it had spread to France, Germany, and Austria. Eventually, it appeared in the literature of the United States.

The most basic version of the game is to make a double-six set, which consists of 28 tiles. This is the most common version, but there are more advanced types as well. You can buy a double-18 set, which has 190 tiles, or a double-19 set, which has 255 tiles.