A domino is a tile game piece used in a variety of ways in many different games. Dominoes are generally double-sided and feature a line in the center to visually separate it into two square ends, which may have different values or be blank. Each end may have a number of dots, which are called pips, ranging from six to zero. The value of a domino is determined by its type and the rules of the game.

Dominoes can be played by one person or several people at a time. Most domino games involve emptying a player’s hand and blocking opposing players from scoring points. Blocking games include bergen and muggins, while scoring games are based on the number of pips in opposing players’ hands. Some play formats are based on matching cards, such as matador and chicken foot, while others use dominoes to teach math skills.

The domino game has a long history and has been enjoyed by generations of families. It has even been a part of popular culture, with movie and television adaptations. Its popularity has even led to a domino museum, which houses an extensive collection of domino pieces and games. The word “domino” is also a slang term for someone who makes an unintended or disastrous mistake.

As with many other types of games, the rules of domino vary widely depending on the type of game and the participants. Some games involve simply laying a single domino, while others are played with chains of dominoes. Each game has a certain rhythm that requires careful planning and execution to execute well.

In most domino games, only the ends that do not have a tile on either side are open to continue the chain. Each subsequent tile must be placed so that its matching ends are adjacent to an open end, unless the next tile is a double. The pattern continues until the players have finished playing their tiles, or there is no longer any match in a particular direction. The game then usually stops at that point and the winner is awarded points based on the number of pips on the opponents’ remaining tiles.

When a person or company has a domino effect, it means that one event causes a series of similar events, often with far-reaching consequences. For example, a fire at an oil refinery could cause an explosion that damages a pipeline and sends a flammable liquid into the air, which in turn causes a huge fire that destroys homes and businesses.

Another example of a domino effect is the effect that one setback can have on a company’s reputation. For instance, an incident such as a celebrity’s sexual scandal can create a domino effect, where other celebrities begin to step down from their positions and the public loses trust in the brand. Fortunately, there are ways that companies can prevent or reduce the impact of a negative domino effect.