A Domino effect is the result of an initial action producing a chain reaction that culminates in an outcome that may be either intended or unintended. It may refer to a literal series of dominoes falling one after the other, or it can also be used as a metaphor for causal linkages within complex systems such as global finance or politics. In the latter sense, it may also be applied to a Rube Goldberg machine, which involves complicated, mechanically interlinked chains of events that culminate in a final result.
A domino is a flat thumb-sized rectangular block, usually with a line down the center to divide it visually into two parts bearing from one to six pips or dots. A domino is normally asymmetrical; one side has the values of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, while the other has none or blanks (also called “wild” sides). In games, dominoes are arranged into a chain by placing one tile at a time on top of a previous tile. If a matching end is present on the adjacent tiles, they are matched, and the chain is continued in order of pip value. When all the tiles have been played, play stops and the winners are those whose total number of pips is least.
Dominoes are a popular family game, but they’re also used in a variety of other ways. One popular application is to use them to make a shape or design on a sheet of paper. For example, you can draw a simple figure and then cover it with dominoes so that the design is imprinted on the paper. This can be a fun way to make a poster or other visual display.
Another great use for dominoes is to play a game of chance, in which players try to place as many dominoes on the table as possible in a given period of time. This can be a fun, social activity, or it can be a more competitive game, with players trying to create the longest domino chain.
There are a wide range of domino games that can be played, from simple blocking and scoring to trick-taking. In some games, dominoes can be arranged in lines and angular patterns to create more elaborate structures. In addition to the standard domino set, sets can be made of alternative materials such as stone (e.g., marble or granite); woods such as ebony; metals; ceramic clay; and even glass.
In the business world, a company’s success depends on how well it manages to keep its chain of operations running smoothly and efficiently. The CEO of Domino’s Pizza, for example, regularly appears on the show Undercover Boss, where he goes undercover at various Domino’s locations to observe how employees respond to customer requests. He tries to spot any issues and then works to resolve them before they become more serious problems. He is a true Domino boss! This is a good way to illustrate how a company can benefit from having a clear plan and implementing it well.