Domino is a small rectangular game piece that has anywhere from zero to six dots on its sides. It is used in a variety of games, the most popular of which are layout games. In a layout game, dominoes are laid out in long lines and then tipped so that one piece knocks over the next. This can lead to very complex patterns that can be awe-inspiring.

Dominoes can be set up in curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, or 3D structures like towers and pyramids. Some people also use them to create art. A professional domino artist, Hevesh, has over 2 million YouTube subscribers and creates mind-blowing setups for movies, television shows, and events, including the album launch of pop star Katy Perry.

While some people play domino as a recreational activity, others consider it an essential tool for building and exercising cognitive skills. For example, the game can help teach children how to follow a sequence, plan ahead, and anticipate consequences. It can also improve motor skills and attention span. A study by the University of Florida found that students who played domino on a regular basis had higher test scores and better overall grades than those who did not.

The history of the word “domino” is a bit obscure, but it is thought to have originated in the 17th century. It was originally an English word, and it later came to be used in French. Earlier, the term referred to a long hooded cloak worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. It may have also referred to a cape worn by a priest over his white surplice.

In the United States, domino sets are usually made of polymer, but they have been produced in many other materials, including bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, and ebony, with or without a black paint on the faces. Some people like the look and feel of natural dominoes, which are generally more expensive than polymer sets. Other types of dominoes have been made from stone, such as marble and soapstone; metal, such as brass or pewter; and ceramic clay.

Normally, dominoes have numbers on only one side, but some are marked with a pattern of dots on both sides. The identifying marks are called pips, and the number of pips on each side is recorded in a set. The most common commercially available domino sets are double six and double nine, each containing 28 pieces. Some larger sets exist and are often used for games that involve several players.

Some domino sets are arranged in suits, each containing different numbers of pips. A tile belonging to the suit of a particular number is called a matching domino, and it must be placed at the end of a line of matching tiles to start a chain. The remaining non-matching dominoes are called a boneyard or, in the US, the stock.