Domino, also called dominoes or domination, is a game in which small rectangular blocks (dominoes) are stacked on end to form long lines. If the first one is tipped over, it causes the others to fall and creates a sequence of consequences that can lead to complex and sometimes spectacular designs. The term domino also refers to a metaphorical sequence of events — the kind that might be caused by the sudden collapse of a building, for example, or the collapse of a financial system or political regime.
In fiction, creating a domino effect can help writers make their stories more compelling. It can also be a useful way to explore themes such as fate, destiny and determinism. For example, in a story about a man who tries to save his wife from an abusive husband, the first step might be his attempt to stop the abuse by filing for divorce. But the outcome of his action might not be what he had expected. That is, it might not have stopped the violence, but it might have set off a series of other events that ultimately led to his wife’s death.
When you write a story, you want to create an engaging plot with a good rhythm and a sense of inevitable progression. A story that starts with a simple event and then moves rapidly to a climax is often considered more interesting than a plot that develops in a slow and predictable manner. The domino effect can be a useful device to achieve this goal, but it’s important to know the rules of the game before you try to create your own.
The most common domino game involves laying down a number of dominoes in a line so that the numbers on adjacent dominoes match each other. Each player takes a turn putting down a domino in the correct position, and the first play is determined by the color of the domino the player draws when it’s his or her turn. Traditionally, there were 28 pieces in a standard domino set — seven doubles (which have the same number on both ends from double blank to double six) and 21 singles, which have either numbers or blanks on both ends.
There are many other games that can be played with dominoes, and the underlying principles of each game remain the same regardless of the specific rules. Some of these games are based on blocking other players from making a play, while others involve scoring points by attaching a domino to the end of those already played so that their total pip count is divisible by five or three.
A growing population of consumers who are ordering and consuming food delivered to their homes is creating a challenge for Domino’s that will have implications beyond its direct retail business. Third-party delivery services such as Uber Eats and DoorDash are gaining market share in the United States and are competing with Domino’s for these new customers. This competition is causing some Domino’s locations to reduce their operating hours and to limit their deliveries. The labor shortage in the United States is contributing to this competitive pressure. In the long run, I expect these trends to benefit Domino’s as they strengthen its position in the delivery market, but this competition will have short-term consequences that could have a negative impact on revenue and profits.