Dominoes are a family of tile-based games. The tiles are rectangular and have two square ends, each marked with a number of spots. The goal of the game is to collect as many spots as you can before the other players do. If you complete the game with the highest number of spots, you win.

The game is played by placing dominoes in a particular pattern. Each player must position the dominoes so that two adjacent matching ends are next to each other. The dominoes can be placed either horizontally or vertically, but doubles must be played crosswise, so they will be matched. The player who chips out loses the game. There are several variations of the game, including one where both partners must chip out at the same time.

The tiles are placed on a table edge before the players begin. Each player is allowed to see his or her own tiles, but the other players cannot see the tiles in the other players’ hands. The first player is determined by drawing lots or by the player who has the heaviest hand. The first tile laid on the table is usually the double-six.

Play of skillful dominoes is often played with four players in teams. The aim is to reach a predetermined number of points, usually 61. There are different variations of the game, but in most versions, each player has a hand of dominoes. When the player matches the open end with his or her hand, he or she receives a point.

The game originated in Italy and spread to France and southern Germany in the late eighteenth century. It quickly became a popular pastime in France. The French also began producing puzzles based on the domino. There were two types of domino puzzles: one that required the player to match the arithmetic properties of the pips and the other that required the player to match two tile halves side by side.

The origins of the game of dominoes are a complex mystery. While it is thought that the game originated in China, the evidence does not support that theory. The Chinese dominos did not develop into the modern game, but Italian missionaries may have brought the game to Europe. Regardless of who brought them there, the game of dominoes has a long history.

Double-six and double-nine sets are the most common domino sets. Double-six dominoes contain 28 tiles, whereas the double-nine and double-twelve sets have 55 and 91 tiles, respectively. The number of tiles in a set varies depending on the suits.

The name “Pip” comes from a character in the book “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. The character was not named Pip for dominoes, but instead was named Philip Pirrip.