Did you know that there is a family of tile-based games? One of these is dominoes. The rectangular tiles are marked with spots along each end. The object of the game is to collect as many dominoes as possible. You win when you match as many as possible, and you’ve won the game. There are many variations of domino, including Pai Gow and Tien Gow. Let’s explore these three games in depth.
Thierry Denoual’s game
The game of domino has been around for centuries, but Thierry Denoual came up with an innovative new version that uses pictures instead of numbers. This portable game uses a 120-degree bent double-six domino set, and the goal of the game is to collect as many points as possible by building a circle of three dominoes. There are several rounds of the game, and a player may block play by connecting opposite ends of the board.
Tien Gow
Tien Gow is a trick-taking game played with a Chinese domino set. The four players are each dealt a set of 16 tiles, with the first player getting to lead a trick with either a one-, two-, or three-tile set. The remaining players must then play their best hand to win the trick. Each player will discard the same number of tiles, face down, and then reshuffle the set to get a new starting hand.
Pai Gow
Pai Gow is a gambling game using Chinese dominoes. The set contains sixteen pairs of numbers, one to one, and the aim is to beat the Banker’s two hands by forming pairs of your own. The Banker may be any player, or the casino. To become the banker, you must have wagered in the previous round when the casino was acting as the Banker. This can be a difficult task for beginners, but there are some tips for playing this game with confidence.
Che Deng
The Che Deng domino game originated in China. The name derives from the Chinese word “pupai,” meaning seven or eight. This game is similar to Pai Gow and Tien Gow, but has different rules. The set contains thirty dominoes, twenty of which have blank faces. Each player must try to make the highest combination with their dominoes, and the goal is to eliminate the opponent’s dominoes before they can complete their hand.
Texas 42
Texas 42, or simply “42,” is a trick-taking game played with a standard set of double six dominoes. This game is so popular that it’s often referred to as the “state game of Texas.” Tournaments are held across the state, and a state championship is held annually in Hallettsville, Texas. You can find a local tournament near you by searching the Internet. Below, you can learn more about the game and how to play it yourself.