Domino is a game that allows players to set up pieces edge to edge in long lines. Then, if the first domino is tipped over, it triggers an avalanche of other pieces to fall, one after another in an endless chain reaction. Dominoes can be set up in many ways, including creating curved shapes and even complex designs. They are also used for educational purposes to demonstrate physical principles and concepts such as gravity, balance and momentum.

Dominoes have a long history, dating back to the mid-18th century in Italy and France. They were brought to England toward the end of that period by French prisoners. A number of games can be played with dominoes, but the most popular are positional games. In these, the player places dominoes edge to edge on a line, either forming an ordered total or an arrangement of dots called pips. Each domino has a unique value, determined by the placement of a single or double.

A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, and its identifying features are usually found on two squares, called ends, on each piece. The values of each end, determined by an arrangement of dots, range from six pips (value 1) to none or blank (value 0). In large sets, the numbers may be identified with a series of more readable Arabic numerals.

When playing a domino game, the most important rule is to place each piece so that it will touch only one other matching side. This will allow the domino to fall when tipped, and also ensure that the following tiles are properly placed for the chain to continue correctly. This requires careful planning and attention to detail.

Lily Hevesh, 20, has been fascinated with dominoes since childhood. Her grandparents had a classic 28-pack, and she loved setting up the pieces in straight or curved lines. Hevesh has become a professional domino artist, and she creates spectacular setups for movies, TV shows and events—including an album launch for Katy Perry. Her YouTube channel, Hevesh5, has more than 2 million subscribers.

Hevesh’s most challenging projects involve dominoes that are arranged in 3-D shapes or in a circle. These can take several nail-biting minutes to complete, and require a lot of trial and error to get just right. To help prevent this, she always makes a test version of each section of an installation to make sure it works before putting them all together. She then films each part of the setup in slow motion, allowing her to spot problems and correct them.

When composing a novel, the process of plotting often comes down to one question: what happens next? Whether you plot your work off the cuff or follow an intricate outline, considering the domino effect can help you craft a story that keeps readers turning pages. Like the chain reactions of dominoes, a novel’s plot is driven by reaction—one event prompting others to react in a specific way.