Domino is a game using small tiles that are arranged to form lines or shapes. These tiles have a blank or identically patterned side and a number of spots, called pips, on the other side. The value of a domino is determined by the total amount of the pips on both sides of the tile. A domino that has a single side with no pips is called a wild tile. Dominoes are used for a wide variety of games and to create structures like towers and pyramids. They are also used for art projects and to teach counting and other skills.

The name “domino” comes from the Latin word dominus, meaning master of a household or estate. The word later came to refer to a type of mask worn by Dominican monks, and eventually became a generic term for any hooded masquerade mask. The word is now mostly used to describe one of the pieces in a domino set.

There are many different games that can be played with dominoes, but the most common involves forming a line of tiles in order to win. Normally, the tiles are arranged in a straight line, but other configurations can be used as well. The tiles can also be made to form a square or circle, and they can be colored to make them easier to identify.

Depending on the game, players can choose to block other players’ play by placing a domino that covers a space where an opponent may place his or her next tile. Dominoes are also used for scoring games such as bergen and muggins, where points are awarded to the players who have the most tiles left over. Some games of this type are adaptations of card games and were once popular in some places to circumvent religious prohibitions against cards.

Dominoes can also be used to build models or to set up mechanical devices, such as Rube Goldberg machines. These are often displayed at science museums, but they can be built by any person who has the time and materials. Some people even make their own sets to play with, and they are often quite elaborate.

The labor shortage is having a major effect on businesses that rely heavily on their delivery drivers, such as Domino’s Pizza. The company has already begun to cut operating hours at some locations and has warned that the problem could cause it to have to close stores altogether. Those who have been affected by the labor shortage are concerned that their problems will spread, and that more employers will follow suit.

Whether you write an outline or plot your story by hand, the process of writing fiction ultimately boils down to asking the question, “What happens next?” Plotting a novel with the domino effect can help you answer that question in a way that will keep readers engaged and satisfied. Whether your hero goes against societal norms or makes a mistake that leads to a catastrophe, the domino effect will ensure that your audience understands how your character’s actions and reactions fit together.