Dominoes is a centuries-old family of games that are played in a multitude of different cultures. Most every game-playing enthusiast has encountered domino tiles, which are closely related to six-sided dice, as well as playing cards. Less well-known, however, is the rich history behind the familiar tiles and the games that can be played with them. From dominoes’ origin in China during the 12th century CE to its rebirth in 1900s Europe, it has inspired many variations that are still enjoyed today by players all over the world.
WHAT ARE DOMINOES?
DOMINOES ARE PLAYING pieces in the shape of flat, rectangular blocks, or tiles. One side of each domino has a line or ridge that divides the tile into two square-shaped halves; each square has a number of dots called “pips” or “spots.” Some squares are blank. Typically, the number of dots ranges from 0 to 6 (similar to dice).
Traditionally, dominoes were made of rigid materials like bone or ivory. Therefore, they’re sometimes referred to as “bones,” “pieces,” or “cards.” Other materials used in tile production are marble, granite, brass, frosted glass, or hardwood, such as ebony. Most older dominoes have
