A domino is a small rectangular block of wood or plastic marked by dots resembling those on dice. It is used to play games of chance and skill.

The most common use of the term is to refer to a set of these small blocks. There are many different domino games, and the rules vary somewhat from place to place. There are also some games that are known by the same name but have very different rules.

When the first domino is tipped over it starts a chain reaction that causes domino after domino to topple. The speed at which the dominoes fall is similar to the speed of a nerve impulse traveling down a limb. This is because the energy of a domino is dependent on its position and is transferred from potential energy to kinetic energy when it falls.

For the best results when playing a domino game, the player should keep a record of the number of tiles in his hand at all times. This will help him decide which ones to play and when. In some cases, players may not be able to make another play and will have to pass on their turn. These are known as blocked plays.

If a player is not able to play one of his tiles, the other players can buy it from him. This will usually require that he lay it face up on the table, and will depend on the rules of the particular domino game being played.

Some games require that all tiles in the stock must be bought, while others allow for a number of them to remain in the stock and cannot be bought. The number of pips on the tiles left in the losers’ hands at the end of the game is added to the winner’s score. This scoring method differs from the traditional ‘blocking and scoring’ method used by some other games.

A person who is a fan of domino will often collect these small wooden or plastic blocks and enjoys playing the various games that can be played with them. Besides being a fun and relaxing hobby, it is a great way to socialize with friends or family members.

The physics behind the way dominoes fall can be explained using a concept called “domino effect.” When a domino is stood upright, it has potential energy, which varies according to its position and the forces of gravity acting on it. When the domino is tipped over, it transfers much of this potential energy into kinetic energy.

When writing fiction, the idea of the domino effect can be helpful in creating an effective plot. It helps the writer answer the question, “What will happen next?” If a character’s actions are outside of societal norms, the reader must be given logic and motivation to either understand or forgive the hero. Otherwise, the reader will not find the character believable and the story will fail.