Domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block, typically marked with dots resembling those on dice. It is used as a gaming object to build up a chain reaction of falling dominoes, creating intricate patterns that can be played with one, two, or many players. Also known as dominoes or bones, the game has a wide range of uses from simple games of chance to complex engineering-style structures.
Dominoes have been around for more than 1,000 years. They can be used to create straight or curved lines, grids that form pictures, or even 3D structures like towers and pyramids. The most popular Domino game in the West is called the Block or Draw game, but a number of different games can be played with any set of dominoes.
Lily Hevesh first began playing with dominoes when she was 9 years old. Her grandparents had the classic 28-piece set, and Hevesh was instantly enchanted. She loved lining up the tiles in a row and flicking the first one to see them all fall, one after another. As she got older, she started posting videos of her own domino creations on YouTube. By now, she has millions of followers and is a professional domino artist who has created stunning domino setups for movies, TV shows, and events—including an album launch for Katy Perry.
Hevesh’s mind-blowing domino installations are built on a foundation of science. To create her designs, she tests each part of the layout, filming it in slow motion to pinpoint any problems that might occur. She then adjusts the configuration until it works. This process is akin to the engineering-design process used in the construction industry, she says.
The key to her success is understanding the basic principles of physics. When Hevesh’s dominoes are lined up correctly, they have a “dominant force” that resists motion until a tiny outside push overcomes it. This potential energy is transferred to the next domino, which then carries on the chain reaction. Eventually, all the dominoes in the line will fall due to their own gravitational pull and the forces of friction between them.
Dominoes are a great way to introduce young children to the concept of cause and effect. The rules for dominoes vary, but most versions require that each player plays a tile adjacent to all four sides of the previous tile. If a player cannot play this tile, he or she passes his or her turn. This is why it’s important to play on a hard surface so that the dominoes won’t slide over or knock each other off.
Although there are many types of domino sets, the most common in the United States is a double-six set. There are also double-nine and double-twelve sets in use all over the world, along with a number of other variations on the same principle. Dominoes can be made of wood, bone, silver lip ocean pearl, or a combination of materials. They can be purchased at most toy stores and online retailers.