Dominoes are a game of chance and strategy. They are flat, rectangular, square, or octagonal tiles with a line in the middle to divide them into two equal parts, called ends. Each end has a different value, indicated by an arrangement of spots or pips, similar to those on a die. Some have no pips and are blank or identically patterned on both sides. The game can be played on a table or on a specially designed surface such as the floor. It is typically scored by awarding points to the player who has a greater number of dominoes with one end than the opposing player’s. Normally, the scoring is done by counting the total number of pips on a domino (or double), but it may also be counted in other ways as agreed to by players.
Domino is one of the most popular games in the world. It can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages and skill levels, though some games require more advanced strategies than others. Many people enjoy using their imagination as they build chains of dominoes and create patterns with them. Others enjoy competing with friends and family to see who can make the longest or most complex domino chain.
The game of domino has been around for hundreds of years, though it is unclear who invented it. A tenth-century document, the Chu sz yam (Investigations on the Traditions of All Things), states that dominoes were introduced to China by a statesman in 1120 CE and spread from there. It is unclear how the Chinese played the game or what rules were involved.
When a player lays down a domino, it must be matched with another domino that has the same number of pips on one of its ends. The remaining end of the match must have either a matching number of pips or be blank. If no match can be found, the player “knocks” or raps the table and play passes to the other player. If a player cannot take a turn, they must “chip out” and the winner is the partner with the lowest total of pips on their remaining dominoes.
In the mid-90s, Domino’s was facing a serious challenge. Its sales were slumping and the company had accumulated a large debt. Its leadership changed, and the new CEO, David Brandon, decided that it was time for a change. He wanted to revitalize the business by changing its image and introducing more products.
To do this, he needed to address the biggest issue faced by Domino’s: its location. He began by focusing on locations near colleges, where young people would be sure to visit. This strategy boosted sales and helped Domino’s return to profitability. Today, the company has over 14,000 stores worldwide and is still growing. Domino’s is now a major force in the pizza delivery industry. The brand has even branched out to offer online orders for pizza and other foods.