Domino is a small, flat block used in games of chance, often toppled by the force of a single strike. Dominoes have one side marked with an arrangement of spots, called pips, similar to those on dice. The other face is blank or identically patterned. The word domino derives from the Latin domini, meaning “favor,” probably referring to the fact that when set up in the right order, a row of dominoes is hard to topple.

Dominoes are a popular pastime among children and adults, and they are even featured in some live shows, where competitors build intricate, elaborate chains of domino reactions before an audience of fans. But Dominoes aren’t just for entertainment; they can also be a useful metaphor for the way narrative works.

Think of every scene in your novel as a domino, and each scene must lead to the next. The first domino may seem insignificant, but it will trigger a chain reaction that ultimately leads to the ending of the story. If you don’t get the order of dominoes just right, your story will fall apart like wet firecrackers. The key is to keep the stakes high, make sure the difficulties are great, and to ensure that each domino’s impact is felt.

In comics, Domino is a mutant who can change the laws of probability, allowing her to have good luck while making her opponents suffer bad luck. This ability makes her especially deadly as a mercenary, as she is well-versed in weapons, has the abilities to use her staff to fire projectiles, and can alter her physical appearance. She is able to communicate with Cable through a psionic link, and has been the de facto leader of X-Force on several occasions.

Originally, the term domino referred to a long hooded cloak worn with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. It also referred to a long black cape worn by a priest over his white surplice. Both meanings were eventually borrowed by the game of domino, which has its origins in the 17th century.

The earliest known dominoes were simple wood blocks with an identifying pattern on only one side, but the game’s modern form began to develop in Italy around the 12th or 13th century. The game is now played all over the world, and is a popular parlor game. The word domino has also been applied to a series of popular lifestyle and home improvement magazines, including Domino: Your Guide to a Stylish Home and Domino: Your Guide to a Wellness-Focused Life. In addition to its magazine business, Domino has branched out into other verticals, including Travel and Weddings. It also has a podcast, Design Time.