Domino (as well as its plural form dominoes) is a type of gaming tile, most often featuring a layout of dots that can be arranged in different patterns to represent numbers or symbols. Unlike playing cards, domino tiles feature one side with an arrangement of spots, also called pips, and the other side is blank or identically patterned. In most domino variants, the number of pips on each end represents a value, and a higher numbered side is considered “heavier” than a lower numbered side.
The earliest known use of the word domino is to refer to a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. The hood was traditionally black to contrast with the white surplice of a priest, and the implication was that the robe acted as a sort of “domino” that could bring the wearer luck in their ventures. This sense of domino may help explain why the game and its name have such a strong connection to the notion of chance.
In modern times, Domino is a popular game played by two or more players. It requires a set of 28 tiles, which are shuffled and stacked face down to create the stock or boneyard. Each player draws seven of these tiles, and the first to draw a matching pair wins that round. The remaining tiles are placed on-edge in front of the players, so they can see their own but not the values of their opponents’ pieces. This way, players can determine if they have a good chance of winning the next round.
Another interesting use of the term Domino is as a metaphor for writing. In particular, the idea of a domino effect can be helpful to writers who are pantsers, that is, those who don’t make detailed outlines ahead of time but instead let their writing flow as they write it. This approach is useful for those who want to avoid scenes that don’t have enough logical impact on the scene that precedes it. For example, if your heroine discovers an important clue but then the opposition does nothing to raise the tension in the following scene, something’s wrong.
When you write a story with the domino effect, your character’s actions will trigger reactions from other characters that in turn will influence how the plot unfolds. For this reason, it’s crucial that you think of the impact your characters’ decisions will have on each other and that they act in ways that will lead to your desired outcome.
Domino’s Pizza CEO Don Meij has a great example of the domino effect in action. In a recent episode of the TV show Undercover Boss, Meij sent himself to work in one of Domino’s busiest restaurants and observed how the employees handled customer orders and delivery services. This showed him how important it was for Domino’s to maintain its core values, such as valuing employees and championing their customers.