Dominoes are small, flat blocks that can be stacked on end to create long lines. When one is tipped over, it causes the other dominoes to fall and often results in a spectacular display. Dominoes are also used for games that involve forming shapes and patterns with the falling tiles, as well as in 3D structures such as towers and pyramids.
Although some people use them simply as toys, most enjoy the games that can be played with dominoes. These games are not only fun but educational as well. The ability to follow the pattern of a game with dominoes helps develop motor skills and visual recognition. In addition, the games can help hone counting skills and problem solving abilities.
A domino is a rectangular tile normally twice as long as it is wide and bearing from one to six dots or pips on each face. The most common type of domino is the double-six, which has a value of 12 if all six spots are present. Other types of dominoes are also available, with either fewer or more dots on the tiles. Each domino can be matched with another based on the number of matching sides; in some games, doubles count as one or two (so that a 7-6 matches with either a 6 or a 14), while others allow only the sum of all pips to be used to determine which domino is played.
The game begins with each player drawing seven dominoes for their hand. The remaining dominoes (known as the boneyard) are left face down on the table to be drawn from later if a player is unable to play from their hand. Players then begin to play their tiles. Each player must place a domino on the table so that its end touches one end of another tile already placed. Then, if that tile has a value that is divisible by five or three, the player scores one point for each time the total of the ends of the two tiles can be divided into those numbers.
After all of the dominoes have been played, a score is recorded. The player who reaches this score in a given number of rounds wins the game.
Hevesh carefully checks each section of her work before adding it to the larger piece. Often, she will test each piece by placing it on the table and then pushing down on it with her finger. This allows her to see whether the piece is working as intended. She also makes test videos of each section to ensure that the dominoes are arranged correctly.
Hevesh considers herself a “domino artist.” While the dominoes she arranges in her creations may be small, they have great power. Whenever she pushes on a domino, that domino will eventually tip over and cause the next one to fall. She uses this concept in her everyday life as well. She looks for good dominoes—those tasks that contribute to a greater goal—and focuses on those.