A domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block featuring either an empty face, bearing numbers or dots similar to dice, or one with numbers or dots like those found on dice. They typically measure twice their width with two square ends connected by an invisible line and marked with numbers (0-9 for double-six sets and 12-12 for other sets) to indicate their value in games of domino. A domino’s total value or rank or weight may be determined by either its number of pips it contains, or by being double stacked upon.
Playing dominoes is simple; each domino should be placed so its matching end touches another already present, either directly or indirectly. As each tile touches another domino, a snake-like chain develops according to player whim and available playing surfaces; when two tiles touch exactly (unless that same tile itself becomes double), its place may create crossways movement, adding an element of complexity and surprise into play.
Each domino in a chain has its own value that adds up to the score of the player who takes their turn. Apart from blocking and scoring games, dominoes can also be used in positional games in which each player takes turns placing tiles edge-to-edge against each other so that their adjacent faces match or form some specified total (e.g. 5-1.)
There are various games of dominoes; some use a deck of cards instead of the stock; while others require that players take turns drawing tiles from it and adding them to their hand before playing them. Some allow all players to purchase as many dominoes from it as desired while others limit purchases to at most equaling or surpassing the value of the first tile each player plays from it.
Building a domino model can be both entertaining and instructive in understanding narrative theory. Plotting a novel involves answering one central question: What happens next? Whether you compose your manuscript without an outline or meticulously plan each scene of your novel out, thinking through how an action or sequence in your novel plays out can help create the domino effect that keeps readers engaged with your novel. At home you can try this exercise yourself by setting out several rows of dominoes on your desktop or flat table and lightly touching one domino with your finger before seeing its reaction before repeating this several times while gradually adjusting force until all dominoes fall at exactly the speed and direction you desire.