Wonder of the Day: Dominoes
Dominoes are a great toy for children to play games with by stacking them on end in long lines and then knocking them over. They are also used in a number of other ways from forming shapes to creating patterns and artwork. Dominoes have been around for centuries, and they continue to be played today. Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Juan, who wondered, “How do dominoes fall?”
A Domino (also known as bones, cards, men, pieces or tiles) is a small rectangular piece of wood with a squared top and a line of numbers on both sides. The dots, or pips, on a Domino indicate its value. The most common type of Domino has a value of six, while larger sets have eight or more pips. A Domino can be made of many materials including ivory; silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl, MOP); bone; dark hardwoods such as ebony; metal; ceramic clay; and even crystal. Some dominoes feature a color scheme such as black and white, while others are designed for specific games.
Originally, Dominoes were used as an alternative to dice because they were functionally identical. The markings on a domino were originally based on the results of throwing two six-sided dice. The most popular game to play with Dominoes is called “Blocks.” It involves laying dominoes end to end so that each one touches a matching one on its exposed end. When all of the dominoes are stacked in this way, the player is awarded points according to the number of exposed pips on each side.
The most important factor when constructing a domino layout is that the total number of exposed pips on each end must match exactly to the total number of pips on the remaining unplayed ends. This ensures that the tiles will be able to fit together properly and fall over in a neat and tidy manner.
A large benefit of Dominoes is their reusable nature and the ease with which they can be picked up, moved, and re-stacked to form new configurations. This feature, along with their relative affordability and portability, has led to their popularity worldwide.
When playing Domino, it is best to play on a hard surface that will prevent the dominoes from sliding or skidding. A domino that slides or slips can cause friction, which converts some of its potential energy into heat and sound. This is why it is best to play on a hard floor or table, rather than an uneven surface.
When writing a story, it is essential to maintain consistent logic. Like a domino cascade, readers will lose interest in a plot that has logical hiccups. For example, if your hero’s immoral actions don’t make sense to the reader, he or she will likely stop reading. On the other hand, if your hero’s moral code is clear and consistent throughout your story, you will be sure to keep your audience hooked until the final scene.