Mahjong Game Sets - A Classic Board Game

Mahjong game sets are as diverse as the game is complicated. You can find the sets made out of marble, ivory, bone, wood, and plastic resin. The tiles of a full set are in three categories.

The first sets of tiles in a full mahjong set are the suit tiles. The suit tiles are the tiles which consist of dots, lines, and characters, depicting a suit, similar to a deck of cards. Each set of suit tiles in the mahjong set, consists of four sets of nine dot tiles, four sets of nine line tiles, and four sets of nine character tiles.

The honor tiles consist of four sets of three dragon tiles, a red dragon, a green dragon, and a white dragon. The white dragon tile is sometimes depicted simply with a blank tile. Also included in the honor tiles, are the directional wind tiles. There are four sets of four wind tiles, each depicting a direction the wind blows, in other words, east, west, north, and south.

The bonus tiles are just that, a bonus. If you choose a tile, and it turns out to be a bonus tile, you simply put it aside, face up, to be played later, and draw another tile. The bonus tiles usually depict a flower, with a number, going from one to four; there are eight of these tiles, two sets of four.

In some mahjong game sets, you will also find a set of tiles that depict the seasons, winter, spring, fall, and of course summer. While the mahjong game sets can vary slightly, they will generally consist of at least one hundred and thirty six tiles, and up to one hundred and forty four tiles.

Also available, are mahjong game sets that are actually decks of cards, however, the tiles are preferred as you get the actual feel of the game, as well as the traditional sound of the tiles clinking together.

The game of mahjong is a complicated game, which dates back four thousand years, to a time when only royalty played the game. It has been passed on through the generations and there are now several versions of the game. Included in these versions, are the Chinese version, American version, Taiwan version, Vietnamese and Japanese versions.

In every version of the mahjong game sets, there will be included different accessories, such a tile holders, and dealer score cards.

Tile & Basement Finishing - The Weakest Link

Here's another tip that's not just for that basement finishing project you're considering, but for any type of tile project that you may have coming up.

Remember that obnoxious game show, "The Weakest Link?" The name of the show alluded to the colloquial reference that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Put enough pressure on the chain, and the chain will break -- always at the weakest link in the chain.

When it comes to tile and the potential for stressful water prevention problems, the weakest link is any corner.

The potential for disaster becomes even worse in a basement finishing scenario. Basements are already cool, dark, and damp; this is Mecca for mold-related issues.

And most basements will have a shower with at least one, if not two, corners. The corners where tile from two different walls come together is usually simply grouted. In some cases, the grout may have a thin layer of silicone caulk smeared over the top. Either situation is potentially problematic.

First, grout does not hold up well in corners. It cracks and rapidly deteriorates with the gentle expansion and contraction that a corner experiences. Additionally, a thin layer of silicone over the top of cracking grout won't last long. Finally, silicone should ideally have a better surface to bind to as it cures so it will last longer.

You'll want to make sure that your tile is done differently. Do not allow your basement finishing contractor to grout those corners. Or, if you're planning to do the tile project yourself, make sure YOU don't grout those corners. Instead, make sure to caulk the corners with an elastomeric caulk that is matched to the color of your grout.

You'll love this solution to this problem for a number of reasons. First, because the caulk is matched to the color of your grout it makes for a seamless transition from one wall to the next; just as good as grout. Second, because there is no grout underneath it the caulk has a great surface to bind to as it cures, which helps ensure a strong impenetrable corner. Finally, because the caulk is elastomeric it will flex and contract with the subtle movement of the wall without cracking.

Not only should you or your basement finishing contractor use it in corners, but it should be used to caulk other transitions too. Some examples include tile to tub transitions, tile to sink transitions, tile to hardwood transitions, tile to drywall transitions, etc.

The little links in your tile project and basement finishing chain will go a long way in making your project a huge success.

Double 6 Professional Color Dot Domino Set

Product Details

High quality double 6 color coded dominoes packaged in a black, cowhide grained leatherette case with a snap lock closure. Dominoes measure 1" x 2" x 3/8" thick. You get rules for eight popular domino games including Straight Dominoes, 42, Moon, 84 (takes 2 sets), Solitaire, Chickenfoot, Mexican Train and Super Dominoes.