Domino is a small rectangular block used as a gaming object. It bears an arrangement of spots, called pips, like those on dice or cards, and is blank or identically patterned on the other side. The pips determine the value of a domino. Each domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, so that it can be stacked horizontally.

Dominos can be arranged in a variety of ways, and there are many games that can be played using them. Two of the most common are Draw and Block, both of which use a standard double-six set of 28 dominoes. The number of dominoes in a game depends on the rules of play, but the standard set is typically sufficient for up to four players.

A game of dominoes begins when a player places one domino on the table in front of him and then “draws” a line from the domino to his own piece. Then the player starts placing more dominoes to form the domino chain. When the last domino in a line is placed, that domino will then be the starting point for the next player to begin his turn. The person who ends his turn by laying the last domino will be declared the winner of that round.

The term domino comes from the Latin dominica, meaning a little hill or mound. The word also has an earlier sense referring to the black hooded cap worn by a priest over his surplice at a mass.

There are several games that can be played with a domino set, but the most popular in the West is Draw and Block. The basic rule of these games is that each player draws and then plays a domino until his partner can’t lay any more, at which time the player must declare that he can no longer continue play and the other player takes over his partners’ pieces. The winning partners are those who have the least number of total spots on their remaining dominoes.

While the domino effect is often seen as a positive, it can have negative consequences as well. In business, it is possible for a small setback to trigger an event that causes everything to go wrong, sometimes with devastating effects. In a small business, for example, a slowdown in sales can lead to the layoff of employees and eventually a shutdown of the company.

Effective leadership is crucial to success, and Domino’s Pizza has a strong leadership structure in place. The company uses a method called behavioral theory for management, which emphasizes self-reliance and empowerment. It also encourages a sense of community and support among its employees. This strategy has helped the company survive in tough times, and it has given the company a competitive advantage in the fast food industry. In addition, Domino’s has a strong brand identity that is based on the concept of Think Global and Act Local. This strategy is exemplified by the company’s partnership with local farmers.