2015 World Championship Domino Tournament in Andalusia, AL from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

In 1976, the Rotary Club of Andalusia was asked to find a way to help commemorate the bicentennial of the United States. During a meeting, Rotarians were asked for an idea.

Robert Owens plays in the 40th World Championship Domino Tournament July 10 and 11, 2015 in Andalusia, Al. Bernard Troncale Photos.

Dr. Charles Tomberlin, now a retired radiologist, remembered his fondness for a certain game and threw an idea out for a domino tournament. No, not an event where the winner gorges himself or herself with pizza. But a tournament played with little rectangular tiles, just like the ones children have lined up for centuries, knocking the first one down to cause them all to fall.

“I enjoyed playing dominoes one night a week, so I said I think we ought to have a domino tournament,” Tomberlin said. “So we called Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant and asked him to come to Andalusia and play in our tournament and he said ‘When would you want me?’ We told him it was his choice, either Friday morning early or Saturday morning early.”

“Coach Bryant said ‘Put me down for Friday morning.’ About 900 people showed up to watch Coach Bryant play dominoes. The next year we had comedian Jerry Clower come down and he and Coach Bryant played each other. That was real big hit for us.”

Tomberlin has played in every tournament since the beginning. “I’ve never won it. I started it, but I’ve never won it.”

And the domino effect was on.

Trophies for the 40th World Championship Domino Tournament July 10 and 11, 2015 in Andalusia, Al. Bernard Troncale Photos.

The 40th World Championship Domino Tournament in Andalusia was held July 10-11, bringing players from all parts of the country. Travis Newsome from Naperville, Ill., has been coming since 1978. He has won the singles title twice and the doubles title once.

“It took me 10 years before I won it,” he says. “My mom thought playing cards was so sinful and so bad that she taught me how to play dominoes 53 years ago.”

A handshake after a game at the 40th World Championship Domino Tournament July 10 and 11, 2015 in Andalusia, Al. Bernard Troncale Photos.

He says domino players usually have an ego and he enjoys beating other players, along with the comradery and fellowship. He plays online every day, but doesn’t play as much live as he would like simply because he hasn’t found that many domino players near his home.

Opp resident and former domino champion Dallas Henderson, 83, has been playing in the tournament for 39 years. His father gave him a set of black wooden dominoes with small white dots when he was 6 years old and he has been playing ever since.

“I won the singles title once and the doubles once and finished runner-up several times,” Henderson says. “I enjoy playing whether I win or lose. I play four or five times a week and play mostly doubles.”

Lineville siblings Josie and Tyler Hanners have each won their share of titles. Josie finished second in 2014 in child singles to go with her two previous world championships, while Tyler has won six world championships.

Domino Queen Alli Yant at the 40th World Championship Domino Tournament July 10 and 11, 2015 in Andalusia, Al. Bernard Troncale Photos.

This year’s adult singles winner is Scott Henke, from Hallettsville, Texas, who walked away with the $3,000 first-place prize money.

Taylor Howard from Andalusia won the teen singles title while Darnell Benton from Kansas City, Mo., took the child singles trophy. Jerome Wooten and Ro Flowers, both of Kansas City, Mo., claimed the title of world champions in doubles. Taylor Howard and R.J. Keahey from Andalusia won the teen doubles title and Jonathan Clenney of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., and Darnell Benton of Kansas City, Mo., won the child doubles championship. The domino queen for 2015 is Alli Yant.

More than $900,000 in prize money has been awarded to the trophy winners since the tournament started in 1976. Local charities have been the beneficiary of proceeds from the event, amounting to $20,000 to $25,000 annually.