The Domino Effect
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When a domino falls, it sets off a chain reaction that can lead to much larger consequences. This is the “domino effect.” Today’s WONDER of the Day was inspired by a question from Juan.
Dominos are small rectangular blocks with a line down the middle that separates one face from the other. Each end has a number of spots, or “pips,” which correspond to the dots on dice. There are many different games that can be played with dominoes, but some of the most popular involve blocking other players or scoring points.
A game of domino can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Some people prefer to stack them side by side to make long lines and then knock them over. Others like to create intricate designs with them. In the most basic form of the game, each player places a domino edge to edge against another. If the value of the first piece matches that of an already-played domino, then the second player must play a domino of equal or greater value to continue the sequence. This process continues until all the pieces have been placed or no more are able to be played.
The more complex games involve a more intricate strategy. For example, in a game where players try to place dominoes that will result in a certain total, the first player must choose a domino from his or her boneyard (the collection of unplayed dominoes). The player then must find and lay down a domino that has the same value as the chosen one. If the player cannot find a domino with the desired value, then he or she must draw a card from the boneyard and follow its instructions.
Some of the most fascinating domino creations are made by professional designers. These experts use a version of the engineering-design process to plan out the track for a domino set. They start by considering the theme or purpose of an installation, then brainstorm ideas for images that could be represented with the dominoes. Next, they draw arrows to show how the dominoes will fall, then carefully calculate the amount of dominoes needed for their design.
When a designer creates an amazing domino setup, it’s important to remember that even the simplest dominoes can have unexpected results. For example, when a person flips over a domino without intending to, it can throw off the whole sequence. This is why domino designers always make a backup plan!
If you’d like to try your hand at creating some amazing domino art, we recommend getting a copy of The Great Book of Domino Games by Jennifer A. Kelley. This book has all the rules you’ll need to play a wide variety of domino games, including some that are more complex than traditional blocking and scoring games. It also has information about how to make your own dominoes. You can also find additional games online.