Domino is a game that can be played by two to four players. It is a variation of card games and features a large number of variations. Most are positional games with a goal of gaining the most points. The player with the highest score wins the game.

Each domino has a certain number of spots marked on it. These spots are called pips and are used for matching purposes. Pips on both ends of a domino are counted as doubles. If there are no pips on either end, the domino is blank. Depending on the game rules, players can also place additional tiles on any line, even if the tiles are not part of the layout.

A standard domino set includes twenty-three tiles. These tiles are each assigned one of 21 possible results from a pair of six-sided dice. The dominos are then placed on a flat surface. They are marked with a line in the middle that shows the arrangement of the pips.

Before the game begins, the players must decide on a target score. When the first player lays a domino on the table, the rest of the players take turns adding their own dominoes. Some players may play to the left of 6-6 or to the right of 6-6. However, the first tile is generally double-six. Often, the first tile in a line will tip over, causing the next domino to fall. This can be advantageous.

To win a domino game, a player must score the most points. The total number of pips on the player’s dominoes is then multiplied by the number of dots in the opposing player’s hand. Typically, the highest number of pips on the last domino is awarded. Depending on the rules of the game, the scoring process can be predetermined.

In some versions, the first player puts down all of his tiles. In other versions, both partners chip out. Dominoes are also referred to as bones. Historically, European-style dominoes were made of bone, ivory, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell, and wood. Other dominoes are made of plastic or synthetic materials.

In the beginning, dominoes were used as an adaptation of card games. The games were introduced to England in the late 1700s. Later, the game was popular in France and Italy. By the mid-18th century, dominoes were already recorded in English literature. Chinese dominoes were introduced in the 17th century. Although they were known in China during this period, they were not popular until the 19th century.

Traditionally, European-style dominoes were composed of dark hardwood, such as ebony, and were often decorated with gold or silver. Modern dominoes are made of plastic or artificial materials, and are often molded or formed.

There are three basic types of dominoes. These include single, double, and combination dominoes. Individual dominoes are labeled with the number of pips on each half of the face. For example, a 3-5 domino has five pips on one half and three pips on the other.