Domino is an excellent example of a company that has adapted to meet the needs of their market. This strategy is what makes them successful today.
Domino is a set of 28 gaming tiles, also known as bones, rocks, men or cards, that are used to play various games. Each domino features either a number of spots or blanks and belongs to one of two suits.
Origin
Dominoes are cousins of playing cards, and they are one of the oldest tools for game play. They have a long history, with different sets and rules evolving as they spread to new cultures. They have a wide variety of games, from blocking and scoring to solitaire.
The word “domino” has a complicated origin, with some etymologists citing Latin’s “dominus,” or a hooded cape worn by priests. Others suggest that the name may have been inspired by a black domino contrasting with a white surplice.
The first recorded use of the word occurred in Europe in the 1700s. The domino game gained popularity in Italy and was eventually brought to England by French prisoners of war. The European version of the game differs from its Chinese counterpart, with different rules and tiles. It does not contain the civil-military suit distinctions of Chinese dominoes, but it does feature 28 unique pieces that allow for both blocking and scoring.
Rules
There are a wide variety of domino games, and the rules of each vary from game to game. Some games use one player per team while others require two or more players. Generally, the player who draws the heaviest domino makes the first play. During the shuffling process, players should make sure that their hands do not remain on the same tiles.
The pips on each end of the domino are arranged like those on a die and can total from zero to six. Depending on the game, the doubles may be played either on all sides or at right angles to each other. A double called a spinner can be used on both ends. The number of exposed ends accumulated during the game forms the count.
Variations
There are many different games that can be played with dominoes. Most fall into two categories: blocking games and scoring games. A basic game is the draw game, in which players attach a single domino from their hand to one end of a chain already on the board, making sure that the joining half bears the same value as the half of the domino at the end of the line. A point is scored each time the sum of the open ends of a domino is divisible by five or three.
A traditional domino set features 28 unique pieces, with seven faces showing numbers from zero to six, or blank. Larger sets with progressively greater number of spots are available. Dominoes also come in a variety of shapes and colors.
Materials
Over the centuries dominoes have been made from a variety of materials. These include stone, metals, wood and plastic. The pieces are usually twice as long as they are wide, and they are molded to be slightly thicker in the middle so that they can stand upright on their edge.
The earliest dominoes were hand carved from animal bone, particularly ox bones (although ivory was also used for wealthier sets). They were marked with a pattern of black and white dots or pips that represent numbers (although blank tiles also exist).
In the early 20th century a manmade material called Bakelite was invented. This was a tough resiliant type of plastic made by condensing phenols and formaldehyde. It was used for a range of products including dominoes until it was eventually replaced by modern petroleum-based plastic.
Scoring
Domino scoring is based on the concept that each domino has two exposed ends, referred to as dots or pips. A domino with six pips on both ends has a higher value than one with fewer or no pips. A score is made when a player attaches a domino to another, such that the sum of the exposed dots on both the domino and the attached piece is divisible by five or three.
The most common set of domino pieces has 28 tiles, which are usually twice as long as they are wide. Larger sets exist for more complex games. Games played with dominoes fall into two main categories, blocking games and scoring games. A popular scoring game, 5s-and-3s, is often played in British public houses and social clubs.