The word domino is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning “lord.” A person bearing this name appreciates the gravity of every action, a trait that can be useful in the business world. As a rule, such people plan their moves carefully, anticipating how one action might affect another. A domino effect can be good or bad, depending on the circumstances and the intended effect.
There are many different games played with dominoes, and each game has its own set of rules and scoring system. However, most of these games fall into four categories: bidding games, blocking games, scoring games, and round games. In addition, there are many different strategies that a player can employ in order to increase his or her chances of winning the game.
Before playing a game, it is important to understand the basic rules of domino. The first step is to determine the order in which players will make their plays. The player making the first play is known as the setter, downer or leader and must place his tile face up in the center of the table. This is sometimes referred to as the line of play, and it is important that each subsequent player knows where this line is located in order to position his or her tiles correctly.
Generally, the first tile played will be a double, which has two matching ends. The next tile is then placed on top of the double, with its exposed end touching one of the ends of the previous tile. If the total number of dots on the exposed ends of the two tiles is a multiple of five or three, the player scores points. This method of scoring is commonly used in British public houses and social clubs.
In the majority of domino games, each player will make a play in turn. In some cases, the last player may choose not to play, in which case he or she will pass or bye. Once a domino is placed, it must remain in the line of play until it is either drawn or scored.
If a domino is placed incorrectly, the player must return it to his or her hand. This is a misplay and is often called “putting it down wrong.” However, if the error is discovered before the next player makes his or her play, it is permissible to allow the error to stand.
A common mistake is to place a domino out of turn. This is a serious offense and must be avoided at all times, unless the domino is a spinner, which must be placed in the line of play so that its exposed ends match.
Putting a domino out of turn can result in a chain reaction that leads to the loss of points, which can lead to a losing game or even an entire series of games. This can be frustrating for both players and spectators alike.