Domino, the cousin of playing cards, is one of the oldest tools for game play. Dominoes can be used for a variety of games and offer a wonderful way to practice math skills. Many of us have seen domino shows where builders set up hundreds or thousands of pieces, carefully sequenced to create a remarkable display. These domino shows are often spectacular and are held to promote the products of domino manufacturers.
The most popular domino sets are double-six, double-nine, and double-15. Each of these sets contains 28 unique tiles with numbered ends that range from zero to six. The most common dominos have two pips on each end, but other pips are available in the larger sets. Some games are designed to be played with only the double-six set, while others require use of the larger sets.
Before Hevesh knocks over her creations, she tests them. This is to make sure the dominoes fall in exactly the way she wants them to. Hevesh also uses test versions to film the dominoes in slow motion. This helps her to pinpoint any errors and correct them.
She builds up her domino sculptures from flat arrangements first, then adds the 3-D sections. The last step is to connect all of the sections with lines of dominos. Hevesh usually spends about three days putting together an entire domino sculpture. Her finished work is truly breathtaking, and she has been known to perform her artistic creations in front of live audiences.
A person with the name domino has a masterful spirit, and is always thinking two moves ahead. From the Latin, dominus, domino translates as “lord or master.” The word has also been used to describe a long hooded cloak worn over a mask at a carnival season or masquerade.
The earliest dominoes had a black base and ivory face, which suggests that they were similar to the hood of a monastic robe. Later, the hooded cloak was combined with a mask to form a masked carnival costume. The word later grew to mean any large hooded cloak, and finally the domino piece itself.
Most domino games involve blocking the opponents’ play, while some are scoring games where the winners are those who have the fewest pips in their remaining dominoes. Other games allow players to chip out, and the winner is a player who has no more than one remaining domino when play stops. Domino games are a fun way to practice math skills and develop strategic thinking.