Dominoes are a popular game of skill. Players try to arrange the dominos so that one end of the set touches a matching piece on the other side. The player then plays a new tile onto the table, positioning it to make the domino chain grow in length. Each domino must be placed so that its number is shown at one end of the domino chain or another (a double-blank tile counts as 0). When a player places a new domino such that it causes all of the pips to appear, that player is said to have “stitched up” the ends.

The name of the game derives from the Italian word for a “flap” or “bent.” A domino has two identically patterned squares, called ends. These are usually marked with an arrangement of spots, called pips, which look like those on a die. The pips may be colored, or they can be blank. The value of a domino is the total sum of all the pips that appear on its ends. A domino with all its pips visible is said to be “heavy” or “loaded.”

Each domino has a line that visually divides it into two squares, called sides. The side with the pips is the identity-bearing face; the other, called the blank or non-identity-bearing face, is usually blank but may be painted with an image or pattern. A domino’s pips are typically arranged in a standard pattern, but there are many variations to the arrangement.

European-style domino sets have traditionally been made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or a dark hardwood such as ebony, with black or white pips inlaid or painted on each. More recently, dominoes have been produced from other materials such as metals; ceramic clay; carved wood; and even frosted glass. Such sets have a more exotic appearance and feel, but they are typically much more expensive than sets of plastic dominoes.

Technology has become a big part of the Domino’s success story. The company now has more than a quarter of its workforce working in data analytics, and it continues to innovate in ways to allow customers to order pizzas. It even has a Domino’s app that lets users place their order by text message or Amazon Echo device.

The Domino’s success story has been an amazing example of how a company can transform its brand through innovative marketing and business practices. While the business was in trouble in 2004, it has bounced back with a series of bold and creative moves. The company has been able to spice up its product offerings, expand to new markets, and innovate in how its products are delivered. The result has been a domino effect that has helped the company overcome a difficult period.