Domino is an exciting game that requires a lot of brain power. It is a great way to keep your mind sharp and help improve your memory. It is also a great way to build up your social skills and interact with others. It can also be a good way to relieve stress and tension.

Dominos are small rectangular wood or plastic blocks, each bearing an arrangement of dots resembling those on dice and having one side blank and the other a set of numbered squares. The value of a domino, which determines its rank, is indicated by the number of dots or pips on either side of its central line. A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, making it easier to re-stack the pieces after use.

A domino is a tile that forms the starting point of a chain in which each player adds to its length by placing a matching piece over it, usually on its end. Each subsequent piece added to the chain is placed on its end and must touch all exposed sides of the previous domino, unless a double is played. This is known as dominoing and is the foundation for a variety of scoring games.

Most domino sets contain 28 tiles in a range of colors and designs. They are most commonly made of bone, mother-of-pearl (MOP), silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell, ivory or dark hardwoods such as ebony. They are generally painted or inlaid with a color, and the pips may be white or black (although many modern sets are produced using colored polymer resins).

When a domino is tipped ever so slightly, the potential energy stored in its pips converts to kinetic energy and propels it forward over the remaining tiles, which fall into place in a cascade. This is called the domino effect.

If a domino does not have sufficient energy to push over the next tile, it is referred to as a sleeping domino and is removed from play. If a player plays a domino that results in the other ends of the chain showing a number that is not advantageous to him, he is said to have “stitched up” those ends.

The word domino derives from the Latin verb dominium, meaning “to dominate”. It is believed that it originally denoted a hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade.

In leadership, the domino effect can be used to describe a leader’s ability to motivate people and encourage them to follow him. Domino’s leadership style focuses on listening to his employees and addressing their concerns in a timely manner. This has helped the company become a top workplace in Michigan. Moreover, the company’s values and practices are inspiring other businesses. For example, the company has adopted a relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs to promote a culture of teamwork and customer service. It also uses a behavioral theory approach to management, which enables leaders to make better decisions and empower their employees.