We’ve all seen the domino effect on television: a first domino gently tipped ever-so-slightly over, and then 49,998 other dominoes follow suit in a rhythmic cascade of stunning visual beauty. But what many people don’t realize is that the domino effect has a lot of applications to science, mathematics, and even writing.

A domino is a tile with one or more blank sides (sometimes called “wild” sides) that can be matched with other tiles, depending on the rules of the game being played. The other side of a domino is marked with an arrangement of dots, similar to those used on a die, except that some of the squares are blank (indicated in the listing below by a zero).

When two or more dominoes are lined up edge to edge, they form a line called a layout, string, or line of play. When a domino is matched and played, it becomes an end of the line of play, unless it is a spinner, which can be played on all four sides. In some games, the number of pips on the ends of the line of play are part of the score.

The simplest way to play domino is with a double-six set, which contains 28 tiles that are shuffled together and then placed on the table face down, forming a stock or boneyard. Players draw seven of the tiles from the stock to make their initial plays. The player who draws the heaviest domino makes the first move. Afterwards, other tiles may be drawn from the stock as needed to complete a game.

When it comes to teaching math, a simple domino construction can be an effective tool for helping students understand the commutative property of addition. The teacher can demonstrate this concept by putting the numbers 4 and 2 on separate ends of a single domino, then showing how they add up to the total of 10 when the domino is oriented in either direction.

Some domino sets are made from natural materials, such as silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or a dark hardwood like ebony, with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on them. These sets have a more traditional look and feel, but are typically more expensive than polymer sets.

Regardless of the material from which a domino set is made, it’s important that it be solid and sturdy enough to withstand the repeated physical stress of being flipped, pushed, and kicked around by a player. For this reason, many gamers prefer to use a high-quality wood or plastic set rather than a cheaper metal or ceramic clay version. These durable sets will also be less susceptible to damage from heat or scratches. In fact, some wood and ceramic dominoes have been polished to a glossy finish that enhances their appearance and helps them resist damage.