Domino is a game or set of games played with a set of small, rectangular blocks, each bearing one to six pips or dots. It is possible to make very complex lines of dominoes, arranged so that the ends of adjacent pieces line up or form angular patterns, or even 3D structures like towers and pyramids. When a domino is flipped over, it triggers a chain reaction that causes the next domino to tip over and so on until all the dominoes have fallen. This is often referred to as the Domino Effect.

Dominoes are often used in educational environments as a means of demonstrating the concept of cause and effect. Students will be asked to build a pyramid of dominoes, for example, and then encouraged to think about how the falling of just one domino can affect the whole structure. This is a great way for children to learn about the interconnected nature of our world.

The game is also popular as a leisure activity among adults and has been known to help with the development of motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and social skills. There are many different variations of the game, but the most common form is the double-six set (28 dominoes) or the double-nine set (55 tiles). Larger sets exist for playing layout games and are commonly found in public houses and social clubs.

Traditionally, European-style dominoes have been made from bone or silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony, with contrasting white or black pips inlaid into them. More recently, some sets have been made from other natural materials such as marble or soapstone; woods such as ash, hickory and oak; metals such as brass or pewter; or ceramic clay.

Most domino games involve positioning the dominoes edge to edge against each other in rows and angular patterns. The objective is to score points by placing a domino from the player’s hand onto one end of those already laid, in such a way that the sum of the number of pips on the two end tiles is divisible by five or three. The first person to do this scores a point and play passes to the other player.

The classic game has inspired a wide variety of variants and can be played by groups of people of all ages. A domino game can be a great way to pass the time and can even improve concentration and focus. The game has also been used to help ill and disabled individuals develop hand-eye coordination, motor skills and socialization. Despite its simple appearance, domino is an absorbing and challenging game. It can be as competitive or as cooperative as the players choose to make it, and it is a very useful tool for improving the quality of life for those with disabilities or limited physical ability. It can even help them regain confidence and self-esteem. This is because the domino effect teaches them that they can accomplish much more than they might expect through a series of actions that have far-reaching consequences.