Dominoes are flat, thumb-sized rectangular blocks of clay or ivory, bearing from one to six pips (or dots) on each end. A complete set of dominoes includes 28 such tiles. They are typically stored in a container called a hopper, from which each player draws the domino that will be his first play. The winner of a hand or game is determined by counting the number of pips left in the losers’ hands; this method of scoring is sometimes called “adding up” (or adding down).
A domino player must in turn, play a tile onto the table so that it touches only one end of the chain and does not cross over another tile already placed on the table. If a tile has both matching ends touching, it is said to be stitched up, and cannot be played. The resulting chain is sometimes called the line of play.
As a game of skill, domino has been popular for centuries and is now considered an art form. Countless variations of the rules are in use around the world. A basic domino set includes seven doubles (with the same number on both ends from double blank to double six) and 21 singles (with a different number on each end or a number and a blank).
When a player wins a hand or game, he must add up the pips on all the remaining tiles in his possession. In addition, he must clear all of the opponent’s pieces from the board before making his next move.
The game is usually played in a clockwise direction. If a game is tied, the players draw lots to determine who will make the first play. Alternatively, the winner of a previous hand or game may be allowed to play first. The order of play may also be determined by seating arrangement, or the player with the highest double in his hand.
For some games, a player may be permitted to bye tiles from the stock. However, the player must play them according to the rules of the game. Byeing is generally discouraged because it decreases the fun and challenge of the game.
A well-established pizza franchise, Domino’s Pizza, is an excellent example of the importance of listening to your customers. The company’s CEO, Don Meij, appeared on the TV show Undercover Boss in 2007. The program sent him to one of Domino’s busiest locations where he analyzed the way employees interacted with customers. He made several changes that reflected the feedback received from Domino’s employees and customers, such as relaxing the dress code and creating new leadership training programs.
In the early days of the Domino’s Pizza company, founder Peter Monaghan placed the pizzerias near college campuses in Ypsilanti and in suburban neighborhoods, catering to a young audience who wanted pizza delivered quickly. This strategy fueled the company’s rapid growth. Domino’s now has over 200 locations and is continuing to experiment with delivery by drone, self-driving cars, and other new methods of transportation.