Domino is a game played with a set of flat, thumb-sized rectangular blocks called dominoes. Each domino has a line in the center that separates it visually into two squares, each bearing from one to six spots or dots. Depending on the variation of the game, the dominoes may be blank or have a value based on the number of dots. These values are usually referred to as pips or dots. Some have a value of zero, while others are marked with 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or none. A typical domino set has 28 such pieces. The word is also used to refer to the various games that can be played with such a domino set.
Dominos are often arranged in a long line with each tile resting on or touching another, then flipped to set up an elaborate and sometimes breathtaking domino effect. They can also be arranged in a circle or other shapes. Some people are obsessed with this hobby, and some even make a living as professional domino artists creating impressive layouts for movies and events, or performing live for audiences.
Unlike some other games where players compete to empty their hands first, most domino games require that all the tiles in one’s hand be played before play continues. A player can “chip out” by playing a final tile that is either an exposed single, double, or triple (one side with one to six pips and the other blank or with a value of zero). When this occurs, play passes to the opponent. Whether the chips out in this manner or by a time-out, the winners are the partners whose combined sum of spots on all remaining dominoes is the least.
The story of Domino’s Pizza is a perfect example of how a company can turn around its fortunes by sticking to its core values and listening to customers. In the show Undercover Boss, CEO Don Meij goes undercover to work at one of Domino’s busiest restaurants and observe how employees are treating their customers. He then puts new policies into place, such as a relaxed dress code and training programs for managers.
In a similar vein, the founder of Domino’s, Tom Monaghan, has said that the company listens to what its customers are saying on social media and that it pays close attention to customer complaints. In turn, this allows them to improve the quality of their products and service.
As a physics teacher, I’m always interested in the physical science behind how and why dominoes fall. The most obvious factor is gravity, but there are a few other forces at play as well. When a domino is standing upright, it stores energy in the form of potential energy. When the domino is flipped over, this energy converts to kinetic energy that causes the entire chain reaction to occur. This is why it’s important to be careful when picking up a domino, because the slightest movement can knock over an entire row.
