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Chinese dominoes, known as gwāt pái in Cantonese, have been integral to various tile-based games such as tien gow and pai gow. The term "gwāt pái" directly translates to "bone tiles," underscoring the traditional material used in crafting these game pieces. Notably, there exist regional variations in the rules, with northern Chinese games differing significantly from their southern counterparts (Lo, 2000).

Historical accounts trace the origins of Chinese dominoes back to the 12th or 13th century, although legends suggest earlier introductions. Xie Zhaozhe's writings document the presentation of dominoes to Song Emperor Huizong in 1112, highlighting their early presence in Chinese society. However, contemporaneous records like those of Li Qingzhao do not mention dominoes, suggesting variations in gaming practices across regions and time periods (Lo, 2000).

The earliest confirmed written mention of dominoes in China comes from the Former Events in Wulin by Zhou Mi during the Yuan Dynasty, which lists "pupai" alongside dice as common items sold during the Song Dynasty. Despite debates among scholars regarding the authenticity of certain historical manuals, texts like the Manual of the Xuanhe Period by Qu You provide valuable insights into the development of Chinese dominoes (Lo, 2003).

During the Qing Dynasty, cultural and political influences led to the renaming of domino suits from "Chinese" and "barbarian" to "civil" and "military" to align with ruling Manchu sensitivities. This period also saw the emergence of domino sets tailored to represent all possible outcomes of two thrown dice, distinguishing them from Western variants with blank ends. The strategic division into civil and military suits adds depth to traditional Chinese domino games, enhancing their complexity and cultural significance (Lo, 2004).

In terms of deck composition and ranking, Chinese domino sets consist of 32 tiles divided into military and civil suits. Each suit comprises distinct tile patterns, with the civil tiles named after significant cultural symbols like heaven, earth, and man. Military tiles, on the other hand, are named and ranked based on total pips or points, with certain pairs holding special significance in gameplay (Lo, 2004).

Physically, traditional Chinese dominoes are crafted from Chinese ebony and marked with white and red pips, following a traditional coloring scheme akin to Chinese dice. Variants of Chinese dominoes, such as those featuring Xiangqi characters or Digging Flowers patterns, showcase the game's adaptability and regional diversity. Similarly, Korean domino sets exhibit variations in tile pairings and dimensions, reflecting cross-cultural influences in gaming traditions (Lo, 2004).

The game of Bone Tiles, popular in northern and central China, represents a simplified version of traditional dominoes, incorporating elements of trick-taking and strategic gameplay. With its simplified scoring system and streamlined rules, Bone Tiles offers a unique gaming experience while retaining the essence of Chinese domino traditions (Lo, 2004).