Dominoes, cousins to playing cards, are versatile tools for games that test patience and skill. They can also be used to create artistic designs that are beautiful and colorful, as well as provide an excellent learning tool for children. They are typically twice as long as they are wide, and their flat tops are marked with an arrangement of dots (or pips) that vary in value from six to none or blank. Their distinctive shape has led to a number of other names, including bones, cards, men, and pieces.

Dominos have a long history as toys for both young and old. Traditionally, they were made from bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark wood such as ebony, with contrasting black or white pips. More recently, they have been produced from plastics such as polymer resin and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The most common sets of dominoes include a double-twelve set with 28 tiles and a double-nine set with 55 tiles. Larger sets are available for more elaborate and challenging games.

Like a brick or block of cement, a domino has inertia that resists motion unless pushed or pulled against. When a domino is tipped over, the other side of that piece moves and, in turn, causes its neighbors to move. These movements create friction that converts the energy into heat and sound, and they allow the dominoes to stack up on top of one another in very long lines. When the first domino falls, it unleashes a cascade of more and more falling pieces until all the dominoes have fallen, creating a stunning display of physical and mathematical force.

In fiction, dominoes can be metaphorical for scenes that are out of character or out of the ordinary for your story’s hero. For example, if your hero does something that would be considered immoral in most societies, you must show readers enough logic and motivation for her actions so they believe she has a good reason to do it, or else the story will fail to hold their attention.

Domino’s has stayed true to its values in the face of many challenges, and it continues to focus on listening to its customers. They have a dedicated line that you can call to voice your complaints, and they use the results of customer surveys to implement changes.

In addition to its pizza delivery, Domino’s also has a full-service bakery, and sells frozen pizza in supermarkets, restaurants and at convenience stores. The company is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has more than 15,000 employees worldwide. It was founded in 1984 by Peter Buckley and Doug Reiner, and has a market capitalization of more than $70 billion. In 2005, it was ranked as the ninth-largest retail food service provider in the United States. The company has also expanded into international markets. Its stock has risen by more than 200% since its 2008 low, and it is trading above its initial public offering price.