Domino is a game where players lay down pieces of tile to form a chain, with the aim of scoring points. It is played with sets of dominoes, usually ranging from double-twelve (91 tiles) to double-nine (55 tiles).
The chain can develop snake-line at random as each player plays their dominoes, but the shape of the chain must be symmetrical and perpendicular to the last domino to be placed. The player who first completes the line wins, but they may lose if the next player makes a mistake in laying their tiles.
There are several games of domino, all based on the same principle. Some of these games are very simple, while others require complex planning. One of the most popular is Concentration, which is played with a double-six set of dominoes.
Another game is Blockers, where the goal is to score points by laying dominoes end to end, with the matching ends of each tile having to be in contact. The number of points awarded is the total of the pips on the exposed ends of the tile.
A third dominoing game is a trick-taking variant. The player who wins a hand must play a double, which can be any number from two to nine. If the opponent is unable to play a double, they must pick up their last domino and play it back in front of them before they can take their turn.
Alternatively, the player may play all of their remaining dominoes as long as their total sum of pips on them is not less than the sum of the pips on the opposing partner’s last domino. If a domino is not in the right position to be placed, it is “chipped out” and a new one is placed in its place.
When I first started learning about business, I remember hearing about a company called Bethlehem Steel that made its fortune by implementing the same domino effect strategy. In a nutshell, it involved selecting the most important tasks for each day, then completing them before moving on to the next.
This strategy was so successful that it grew Bethlehem Steel into the largest independent steel producer in the world. It was so effective, in fact, that it has been used to help countless other companies achieve success as well.
While this technique can be used for any kind of initiative, it’s especially useful when considering a new product or service. Using this mental model to decide on the most important elements of any project can help you avoid the “flash in the pan” syndrome that often leads many initiatives to fail.
It’s also a good idea to keep a list of all the potential initiatives you can think of as you brainstorm, so that you can be sure to prioritize those most likely to pay off. In this way, you’ll be able to maximize your chances of knocking down those “big” dominos that will help propel your business forward.