If you like to play games with tiles, you’ve probably heard of Domino. It’s an easy-to-learn tile game with a large number of variations. The game is fun and can be played against a single player, up to three opponents, the computer, or even family and friends. It’s even got music! But do you know the history behind Domino? Learn all about it to find out how it got its name.
The game is usually scored by awarding pips to the tiles of the opposing player. Doubles, for example, count as one or two, while a double-blank counts as zero or fourteen. Before the game begins, both players must agree on a target score. When they reach that goal, they win the game. You may win when you reach it, or if you score the highest. There are many different variations of domino games, but all of them have some common rules.
The origin of the word domino is somewhat obscure, though we do know that it came to France around 1750. It originally meant a long hooded cloak, mask, or cape worn by priests. Because the pieces of dominoes once had ivory and ebony faces, it may have been named after a priest’s cape. Whether the word domino was related to the game or not, it’s clear that the game’s origins are in Europe.
The game involves two players, with a double-six set of tiles. The first player lays down a tile face-up in the middle of the table, and the next player must match one end of their domino with part of the first tile. In some versions, tiles can be joined to all four sides. In these cases, players may draw additional tiles to make their hand bigger. However, if the player does not have any dominoes, they are forced to draw from their unused tiles.
In the simplest form of the game, dominoes are played with two players. Each player draws seven tiles from the double-six set, and the players alternately extend the line of play. If their opponents’ hand is a higher value, they lose, but the winner gets all of their pip back. The winner has the highest score, which is equal to the total pip count of the loser’s hand. While the rules of domino vary depending on where and when you play, these basic variants make dominoes a great game for all ages.
The earliest known version of dominoes can be traced to China. It was brought to Europe during the 18th century by French prisoners. It did not develop into the game that we know today, but its influence on the game is widely acknowledged. In fact, dominoes have influenced many different games throughout the years. It’s possible that Italian missionaries brought this game to Europe. If you’re interested in learning more, check out some of the games we recommend.
