Dominoes
Dominoes is the correct plural form of the word domino and refers to game pieces making up a domino set, deck, or pack, or to a game played with these pieces. The game of dominoes appeared first in China in in the 14th Century, but historical records show that the game was first played in the courts of Venice and Naples, Italy. Domino tiles were originally constructed by gluing and adhering a sheet of ebony on either side of a bone tile. This prevented cheating as players could see the pip value from the back of the tile. This method of construction also produced contrasting white pips on a black background by allowing the white bone surface to show through the small holes in the ebony. A pin through the middle of the tile, used to secure the construction of the pieces, became known as the "spinner" for obvious reasons. Although domino tiles have not been constructed in this way for centuries, tradition dictates the presence of the "spinner," which can still be found on many modern, more costly sets. Many players feel that the spinner is still of benefit since it makes the tiles easier to shuffle and protects their faces.