We’ve all seen those domino constructions where, by simply tipping the first piece ever-so-slightly, it sets off a cascade of rhythmic motion. In writing, this is called the “domino effect.” Whether you plot your novel on an outline or write by the seat of your pants, understanding how to use the domino effect can help you create a more compelling story.
A domino is a small rectangular block made of wood or plastic with a blank or numbered face, or with a grid of dots that resemble those on dice. The blocks are arranged so that one end is connected to the other and can be tipped or knocked over, causing the rest of the pieces to fall in a sequence according to rules governing the game.
Dominoes are used to play games, both casual and competitive, that involve skill and strategy. In the simplest of these games, each player plays a single domino in turn, with play proceeding clockwise around the table. The objective is to get rid of all your tiles before the opponent does. Each player tries to prevent the other players from making a play, and some games even feature tactics like blocking (holding back a playable domino to keep it out of the hands of the opponents).
Many people have made their living as domino artists by creating mind-blowing domino setups for movies, television shows, events, and their own YouTube channels. Hevesh, a 20-year-old domino artist, has over 2 million YouTube subscribers and works on projects that require hundreds of thousands of dominoes. Her most intricate domino setups take several nail-biting minutes to complete. Hevesh follows a version of the engineering-design process when she creates her installations, and her videos are an inspiration to many.
Most dominoes are manufactured from polymer materials such as melamine, and may have plastic or metal inlays that protect the underlying surface. Some high-end and collectible sets are made from natural materials such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or dark hardwoods such as ebony; these tend to be heavier and feel more substantial than those produced from polymer materials.
The most common set of dominoes consists of 28 dominoes, including seven doubles (having the same number on both ends from double blank to double six) and 21 singles (having a different number on each end or having a number and a blank). These are commonly called the standard set of dominoes, and are sufficient for most popular games. However, extended sets of dominoes containing more than the standard 28 are also available. The most common extended sets are double-nine, double-12, and double-15, which allow for more players than the standard set.