DOMINO GAME APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR PLAYING DOMINOS

Abstract

A domino game apparatus intended to amuse and teach basic mathematical concepts to young children (generally from about 3 to about 6 years old) comprises (a) a pictorial indicia set comprising a plurality of pictorial indicia playing pieces; and (b) a symbolic indicia set comprising a plurality of symbolic indicia playing pieces, where (i) the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set are equal in number to the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set; (ii) the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set depicts a unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values; (iii) the face of each symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set depicts a unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values; (iv) each unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set corresponds to its respective numerically equivalent unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of each symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set; (v) the highest numerical value used on the face of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is N; and (vi) the total number of all the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces in the domino game apparatus is (N+1)(N+2).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a domino game apparatus and methods for playing dominos intended to teach young children (generally from about three to about six years old) very basic math skills such as (1) recognizing the number represented by pictorial indicia (such visible depressions or indentations, elevations, geometric shapes, animal shapes, blank spaces, etc.) of numerical values from, for example, 0 to 10, (2) recognizing the number represented by symbolic indicia (such as Arabic numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc., Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, etc., Greek numbers, Chinese numbers, Korean numbers, Egyptian numbers, and any other system of symbolic numerical script) of numerical values from, for example, 0 to 10, and (3) understanding the equivalence of pictorial indicia of numerical values and their corresponding, numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical values . Accordingly, the domino game apparatus of the present invention and domino games played with the playing pieces of the domino game apparatus of the present invention combine education and amusement into a wonderful learning experience.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] A comprehensive description of the prior art is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,263, which patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0003] Several variations of domino games exist. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,263, U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,812, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,327. However, no domino game has been designed to teach young children (typically from about three to about six years old) the very basic math skills of (a) recognizing numbers represented by pictorial indicia of numerical values from, for example, 0 to 10, (b) recognizing numbers represented by symbolic indicia of numerical values from, for example, 0 to 10, and (c) understanding the equivalence of the pictorial indicia of numerical values and their corresponding, numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical values.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a domino game or apparatus for use by young children (usually from about 3 to about 6 years old) in learning the very basic math skills of (a) recognizing the numbers represented by pictorial indicia (such indentations, elevations, geometric shapes, animal shapes, blanks spaces, etc.) of numerical values from, for example, 0 to 10, (b) recognizing the numbers represented by symbolic indicia (such as Arabic numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc., Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, etc., Greek numbers, Chinese numbers, Korean numbers, Egyptian numbers, and any other system of symbolic numerical script) of numerical values from, for example, 0 to 10, and (c) understanding the equivalence of pictorial indicia of numerical values and their corresponding, numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical values.

[0005] The present invention solves the need set forth in the preceding paragraph by providing a domino game apparatus comprising (a) a set of playing pieces depicting a unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each playing piece of the pictorial indicia set and (b) a set of playing pieces depicting a unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of each playing piece of the symbolic indicia set. (As used in the specification and claims, the term “pictorial indicia set” means a group of playing pieces having a unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values (e.g., unique pairs selected from the group consisting of visible depressions or indentations, elevations, geometrical shapes, animal shapes, blank spaces, any other visible markings, and combinations thereof) displayed on the face of each playing piece of the group; the term “pictorial indicia playing piece” means a playing piece of the pictorial indicia set having a unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values displayed on its face; the term “symbolic indicia set” means a group of playing pieces having a unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values (e.g., unique pairs selected from the group consisting of Arabic numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc., Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, etc., Greek numbers, Chinese numbers, Korean numbers, Egyptian numbers, and any other symbolic numerical script) displayed on the face of each playing piece of the group; and the term “symbolic indicia playing piece” means a playing piece of the symbolic indicia set having a unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values displayed on its face. The pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set are usually equal in number to the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set and the unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set has a numerically equivalent unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of a corresponding symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set. The highest numerical value used on the face of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces of the domino game apparatus of the present invention is the whole number N, with the total number of pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces in domino game apparatus being (N+1)(N+2). Hence, when the highest numerical value N displayed on the face of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces of the domino game apparatus of the present invention is 10, the total number of pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces in the domino game apparatus is (N+1)(N+2) or (10+1)(10+2) which equals (11)(12) which is 132.

[0006] The face, back, and side surfaces of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces and each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the domino game apparatus are typically substantially flat and the shape of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces and each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces is usually oblong. The face of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces and each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces is usually divided into two substantially equal sections, with each section of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces displaying a pictorial indicia of numerical value and each section of each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces displaying a symbolic indicia of numerical value. For example, each pictorial indicia of numerical value can be a group of visible depressions or indentations or, in the case of the number 0, a blank space that represents a numerical value in the range from 0 to 10 or more and each symbolic indicia of numerical value can be any one of the Arabic numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more.

[0007] One desirable aspect of the domino game apparatus of the present invention is that young children can play a game of dominos with only pictorial indicia playing pieces selected just from the pictorial indicia set so they can learn to count the number of the pictorial indicia of numerical values in each of the two sections on the face of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces and, thereby, learn to recognize the numerical value of various pictorial indicia of numerical values from 0 to 10 or more.

[0008] Another desirable aspect of the domino apparatus of the present invention is that young children can play a game of dominos with only symbolic indicia playing pieces selected from just the symbolic indicia set so they can learn to recognize the various symbolic indicia of numerical values that are in each of the two sections on the face of each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces and learn to associate those symbolic indicia of numerical values with the equivalent, numerical values that young children hear when people verbally describe the numerical value of any object or transaction, such as the pictorial indicia of numerical values represented in each of the two sections on the face of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces.

[0009] A third desirable aspect of the domino game apparatus of the present invention is that young children can play a game of dominoes using both pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces to visually see and learn the correspondence between pictorial indicia of numerical values displayed in each of the two sections on the face of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces and their numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical values displayed in each of the two sections on the face of each of the corresponding symbolic indicia playing piece.

[0010] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the domino game apparatus of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Exemplary pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces employed in the domino game apparatus of the present invention and exemplary domino games employing pictorial indicia and/or symbolic indicia playing pieces are shown in the drawings where:

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a domino game in progress where the game uses only pictorial indicia playing pieces selected just from the pictorial indicia set;

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts the same domino game of FIG. 1 with the sole modification being that the game uses only symbolic indicia playing pieces selected just from the symbolic indicia set;

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts the same domino game of FIG. 1 with the sole modification being that the game uses both pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces with no restriction on the use of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces other than the usual rules of dominos; and

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts the same domino game of FIG. 1 with the modifications being that (1) the game uses both pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces played according to the usual rules of domino with (2) the further restriction or rule that, except for the initially played pictorial indicia or symbolic indicia playing piece, (a) a pictorial playing piece must be played so that it is only adjacent to an already played symbolic indicia playing piece and (b) a symbolic indicia playing piece must be played so that it is only adjacent to an already played pictorial indicia playing piece.

[0016] It should be noted that the same numbers in the figures represent the same element of the domino game apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With respect to FIG. 1, a domino game 100 is played with pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 102 and 103) selected solely from the pictorial indicia set. The faces (such as 104 and 105) of each of pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 102 and 103, respectively) are generally divided into two substantially equal sections (such as sections 106 and 107 on the face 104 of pictorial indicia playing piece 102 and sections 108 and 109 on the face 105 of pictorial indicia playing piece 103). Each section (such as sections 106 and 107 on the face 104 of pictorial indicia playing piece 102 and sections 108 and 109 on the face 105 of pictorial indicia playing piece 103) displays one member (such as visible depressions 110 displayed in section 106 and visible depressions 111 displayed in section 107 on the face 104 of pictorial indicia playing piece 102 and visible depressions 112 displayed in section 108 and visible depressions 113 displayed in section 109 on the face 105 of pictorial indicia playing piece 103) of a unique pair (such as unique pair 114 composed of members 110 and 111 and unique pair 115 composed of members 112 and 113) that identifies each pictorial indicia playing piece (such as pictorial indicia playing pieces 102 and 103, respectively). Each member (such as visible depressions 110 displayed in section 106 and visible depressions 111 displayed in section 107 on the face 104 of pictorial indicia playing piece 102 and visible depressions 112 displayed in section 108 and visible depressions 113 displayed in section 109 on the face 105 of pictorial indicia playing piece 103) of each of the unique pairs (such as unique pairs 114 and 115) represents a whole number from 0 to N1, where N1 is typically from 6 to 20, preferably 6 to 15, and most preferably 10. When the pictorial indicia of numerical value displayed in any section (such as in sections 116 and 117) on any face (such as face 118) of any pictorial indicia playing piece (such as pictorial indicia playing piece 119) is the number 0, those sections (such as sections 116 and 117) displaying the number 0 are blank. Play proceeds in accordance with the rules of any domino game known to those skilled in the art. Domino game 100 is excellent for teaching young children (generally between the ages of about 3 to about 6) to count the constituent elements of the various pictorial indicia of numerical values (such as visible depressions 110 through 113), geometrical shapes (not shown), pictorial representations of animals (not shown), blank spaces (such as in sections 116 and 117), etc.) displayed in each of the sections (such as 106 through 109 and 116-117) of each of the faces (such as 104-105 and 118) of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 102-103 and 119) and to understand the correspondence between various numbers and the numerically equivalent pictorial indicia of numerical values displayed in each of the sections (such as 106 through 109 and 116-117) on each of the faces (such as 104-105 and 118) of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 102-103 and 119).

[0018] With reference to FIG. 2, a domino game 200 has proceeded identically to the domino game 100 shown in FIG. 1. The sole difference between the two domino games 100 and 200 is that the domino game 200 of FIG. 2 employs only symbolic indicia playing pieces (such as symbolic indicia playing pieces 201 and 202) selected solely from the symbolic indicia set. The faces (such as 203 and 204) of each of symbolic indicia playing pieces (such as 201 and 202, respectively) are also generally divided into two substantially equal sections (such as sections 205 and 206 on the face 203 of symbolic indicia playing piece 201 and sections 207 and 208 on the face 204 of symbolic indicia playing piece 202). Each section (such as sections 205 and 206 on the face 203 of symbolic indicia playing piece 201 and sections 207 and 208 on the face 204 of symbolic indicia playing piece 202) displays one member (such as Arabic numeral 209 displayed in section 205 and Arabic numeral 210 displayed in section 206 on the face 203 of symbolic indicia playing piece 201 and Arabic numeral 211 displayed in section 207 and Arabic numeral 212 displayed in section 208 on the face 204 of symbolic indicia playing piece 202) of a unique pair (such as unique pair 213 composed of members 209 and 210 and unique pair 214 composed of members 211 and 212) that identifies each symbolic indicia playing piece (such as symbolic indicia playing pieces 201 and 202, respectively). Each member (such as Arabic numeral 209 displayed in section 205 and Arabic numeral 210 displayed in section 206 on the face 203 of symbolic indicia playing piece 201 and Arabic numeral 211 displayed in section 207 and Arabic numeral 212 displayed in section 208 on the face 204 of symbolic indicia playing piece 202) of each of the unique pairs (such as unique pairs 213 and 214) represents a whole number from 0 to N2, where N2 is typically from 6 to 20, preferably 6 to 15, and most preferably 10. Generally, N1 equals N2. As in the case of the domino game 100 of FIG. 1, the domino game 200 of FIG. 2 is played in accordance with the rules of any domino game known to those skilled in the art. This domino game 200 is excellent for teaching young children to recognize symbolic indicia of numerical values (such as the Arabic numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc., Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, etc., Greek numbers, Chinese numbers, Korean numbers, Egyptian numbers, and any other system of symbolic number script) and their correspondence with numerically equivalent numbers they hear when people verbally describe the numerical value of any object or transaction, such as the pictorial indicia of numerical values 110 through 113 and 116-117 represented on each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces 102, 103, and 119.

[0019] In FIG. 3, a domino game 300 has proceeded identically to the domino game 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the domino game 200 shown in FIG. 2. The sole difference between the domino game 300 and domino games 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, is that the domino game 300 of FIG. 3 employs both pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 103 and 119) as well as symbolic indicia playing pieces (such as 201 and 202). As in the case of the domino game 100 of FIG. 1 and domino game 200 of FIG. 2, the domino game 300 of FIG. 3 is played in accordance with the rules of any domino game known to those skilled in the art. Hence, the domino game 300 is excellent for teaching young children to visually see and learn the correspondence between pictorial indicia of numerical values and their numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical values such as those listed in the following Table I. 1 TABLE I Numerically Equivalent Pictorial Indicia of Numerical Values (PINV) and Symbolic Indicia of Numerical Values (SINV) Shown in FIG. 3 Number PINV SINV 0 116 220 0 117 211 0 116 & 117 224 1 120 221 2 121 222 6 122 223 7 113 209

[0020] As in FIG. 3, in FIG. 4 a domino game 400 has proceeded identically to the domino game 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the domino game 200 shown in FIG. 2. Similar to the domino game 300 of FIG. 3, one difference between the domino game 400 of FIG. 4 and domino games 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, is that the domino game 400 of FIG. 4 also employs both pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 102, 103, and 119) and symbolic indicia playing pieces (such as 201 and 202). In addition to being played in accordance the rules of any domino game, the domino game 400 of FIG. 4 further requires that, except for the initially played pictorial indicia playing piece (such as pictorial indicia playing piece 102) or the initially played symbolic indicia playing piece (not shown), (a) a pictorial indicia playing piece (such as 103) must be played so that it only borders an already played symbolic indicia playing piece (such as 201) and (b) a symbolic indicia playing piece (such as 201) must be played so that it only borders an already played symbolic indicia playing piece (such as 102). This addition rule requires young children to use both pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 102, 103, and 119) and symbolic indicia playing pieces (such as 201 and 202) and, thereby, makes young children demonstrate their proficiency in understanding the numerical equivalence of pictorial indicia of numerical values and their corresponding, numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical values. Accordingly, this additional domino game restriction or rule makes the domino game 400 more challenging and, like the domino game 300 of FIG. 3, is excellent for teaching young children to visually see and learn the correspondence between pictorial indicia of numerical values and their numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical values such as those shown in the following Table II. 2 TABLE II Numerically Equivalent Pictorial Indicia of Numerical Values (PINV) and Symbolic Indicia of Numerical Values (SINV) Shown in FIG. 4 Number PINV SINV 0 117 211 0 116 & 117 224 0 116 220 1 130 230 2 121 222 6 110 231 6 110 & 111 210 6 110 & 111 232 6 111 233 7 113 209 9 131 234

[0021] The pictorial indicia playing pieces (such as 102, 103, and 119) and the symbolic indicia playing pieces (such as 201 and 202) employed in the present invention can be manufactured by techniques well know to those skilled in the art and, as mentioned above, can be used to play dominos in accordance with the usual rules of any domino game know to those skilled in the art. However, in all versions of the domino games of the present, it is preferred that each of the players verbalize the operative pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia of numerical values being played. For example, if, as shown in FIG. 4, a pictorial indicia playing piece 102 is played first and in each of the sections 106 and 107 on the face 104 of the pictorial indicia playing piece 102 is displayed the unique pair 114 consisting of members 110 and 111 of pictorial indicia of numerical values equivalent to the numbers 6 and 6, respectively, the player making that play should preferably say “double 6”. When symbolic indicia playing piece 201 is subsequently played and in the sections 205 and 206 on the face of 203 the symbolic indicia playing piece 201 are displayed the unique pair 213 consisting of members 209 and 210 of symbolic indicia of numerical values representing the numbers 7 and 6, respectively, the player making this latter play should preferably say the operative number “6” because that is the number that is being matched to the numerically equivalent pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face 104 of pictorial indicia playing piece 102.

[0022] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth above in detail, some modifications can be made to the preferred version without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, numerically equivalent pictorial indicia of numerical values and symbolic indicia of numerical values can be the same color to further assist young children to recognize different, but numerically equivalent, representations of the same number. To illustrate, Table III lists colors that can be used to display numerically equivalent pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia of numerical values. 3 TABLE III Illustrative Colors for Numerically Equivalent Pictorial Indicia and Symbolic Indicia of Numerical Values Numerically Equivalent Pictorial and Color Symbolic Numerical Values White 0 Red 1 Orange 2 Yellow 3 Green 4 Blue 5 Indigo 6 Violet 7 Silver 8 Gold 9 Black 10

[0023] Accordingly, the foregoing alternative embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A domino game apparatus comprising

(a) a pictorial indicia set comprising a plurality of pictorial indicia playing pieces; and

(b) a symbolic indicia set comprising a plurality of symbolic indicia playing pieces,

where:

(i) the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set are equal in number to the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set;

(ii) the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set depicts a unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values;

(iii) the face of each symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set depicts a unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values;

(iv) each unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set corresponds to its respective numerically equivalent unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of each symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set;

(v) the highest numerical value used on the face of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is N; and

(vi) the total number of all the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces in the domino game apparatus is (N+1)(N+2).

2. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where the pictorial indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, elevations, geometric shapes, animal shapes, blank spaces, and combinations thereof.

3. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where the symbolic indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Greek numbers, Chinese numbers, Korean numbers, Egyptian numbers, and all other systems of symbolic numerical script.

4. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where:

the pictorial indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, elevations, geometric shapes, animal shapes, blank spaces, and combinations thereof; and

the symbolic indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Greek numbers, Chinese numbers, Korean numbers, Egyptian numbers, and all other systems of symbolic numerical script.

5. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where the pictorial indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, blank spaces, and combinations thereof.

6. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where the symbolic indicia of numerical values comprise Arabic numerals.

7. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where:

the pictorial indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, blank spaces, and combinations thereof; and

the symbolic indicia of numerical values comprise Arabic numerals.

8. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where N is a whole number from 6 to 20.

9. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where N is a whole number from 10 to 15.

10. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where N is the whole number 10.

11. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where:

the pictorial indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, blank spaces, and combinations thereof;

the symbolic indicia of numerical values comprise Arabic numerals; and

N is the whole number 10.

12. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where:

each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is substantially identical in shape, the shape being elongated and rectangular; and

the face of each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is substantially flat.

13. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where:

the pictorial indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, blank spaces, and combinations thereof;

the symbolic indicia of numerical values comprise Arabic numerals;

N is the whole number 10;

each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is substantially identical in shape, the shape being elongated and rectangular; and

the face of each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is substantially flat.

14. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where the pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set and the symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of each symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set are color coordinated so that each pictorial indicia of numerical value has the same color as the color of each corresponding, numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical value.

15. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where:

the face of each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is divided into to substantially equal sections;

each section on the face of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set displays a pictorial indicia of numerical value; and

each section on the face of each of symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set displays a symbolic indicia of numerical value.

16. The domino game apparatus of claim 1 where:

the pictorial indicia of numerical values are selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, blank spaces, and combinations thereof;

the symbolic indicia of numerical values comprise Arabic numerals;

N is the whole number 10;

each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is substantially identical in shape, the shape being elongated and rectangular;

the face of each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is substantially flat;

the pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set and the symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of each symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set are color coordinated so that each pictorial indicia of numerical value has the same color as the color of each corresponding, numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical value;

the face of each playing piece is divided into to substantially equal sections;

each section on the face of the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set displays a pictorial indicia of numerical value; and

each section on the face of the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set displays a symbolic indicia of numerical value.

17. A domino game apparatus comprising:

(a) a pictorial indicia set comprising a plurality of pictorial indicia playing pieces; and

(b) a symbolic indicia set of comprising a plurality of symbolic indicia playing pieces,

where:

(i) the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set are equal in number to the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set;

(ii) the face of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set depicts a unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values selected from the group consisting of visible depressions, blank spaces, and combinations thereof;

(iii) the face of each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set depicts a unique pair of the symbolic indicia of numerical values in the form of Arabic numerals;

(iv) each unique pair of pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each pictorial indicia playing piece of the pictorial indicia set corresponds to its respective, numerically equivalent unique pair of symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of each symbolic indicia playing piece of the symbolic indicia set;

(vii) the highest numerical value used on the face of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is 10;

(viii) the total number of pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces of the domino game apparatus is 132;

(ix) each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is substantially identical in shape, the shape being elongated and rectangular;

(x) the face of each of the pictorial indicia and symbolic indicia playing pieces is divided into to substantially equal sections;

(xi) each section of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set comprises a pictorial indicia of numerical value; and

(xii) each section of each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set comprises a symbolic indicia of numerical value.

18. The domino game apparatus of claim 17 where the pictorial indicia of numerical values on the face of each of the pictorial indicia playing pieces of the pictorial indicia set and the symbolic indicia of numerical values on the face of each of the symbolic indicia playing pieces of the symbolic indicia set are color coordinated so that each pictorial indicia of numerical value has the same color as the color of each corresponding, numerically equivalent symbolic indicia of numerical value.

19. A method of playing dominos comprising the steps of:

(a) playing a pictorial indicia playing piece selected from a pictorial indicia set comprising a plurality of pictorial indicia playing pieces so that the played pictorial indicia playing piece only borders an already played symbolic indicia playing piece selected from a symbolic indicia set comprising a plurality of symbolic indicia playing pieces; and

(b) subsequently playing a different symbolic indicia playing piece selected from the symbolic indicia set so that the subsequently played different symbolic indicia playing piece only adjacent borders an already played pictorial indicia playing piece.

20. The method of claim 19 where steps (a) and (b) are sequentially repeated a plurality of times.