TR’ ROLL DOMINOES

Volume 1 Issue 2 1st October 2001

A NEW GAME? YOU WHAT!?

by Charlot Ann

Dominoes could they really have improved this traditional time served classic game? Well the answer to that is with the beholder of the play to be had. The first question must surely be how on earth can they change dominoes? Well again the answer is with those who play it; the changes are not so vast as to be err erm alien. The change however, strictly speaking does represent a shift from the traditional, gravitationally surfaced grounding that has so far been enjoyed by domino players of all ages throughout the world. Allegedly the makers claimed "We do not want to ruin the fun or general format of the traditional game and we hope that you will agree that the changes are an improvement of diversity not to mention ornamentally sophisticated and unique; namely it’s a very novel representation with yet; bags more room for further advancements". Can this be true? Who are they trying to kid?

All of us maybe; if the leaked new rules are anything to go buy

FACT 1) it’s played on tracks/rails

FACT 2) the dominoes roll

FACT 3) the playing surface can be altered

FACT 4) hitherto unknown luck chance and skill elements now introduced.

WHY CAN’T THEY LEAVE THINGS ALONE?

By Dave

Shocked pensioner 75yr old Iris Startler vowed yesterday to end her 70 year association with her favourite game after reading about the changes on the teletext pages. Later her son phoned from a phone in his house to announce that he too had seen the New Domino travesty unfolding on a special internet unveiling. Describing it as a public execution he broke down and has not called his mother since explained the mother of four and grandmother of eight

"I was round the post office in a jiffy. Well actually the crushed old Domino set that I’d treasured since the war were in a "Jiffy" bag being sent straight to the prime Minister, along with a letter to "Right to Reply"". "I’ve not moved so fast since the last time I’d moved as fast." Speaking from her home, the dear old lady spoke for hours generally about the same things; our reporter tried to get away by offering to help her get Domino counseling and suggested she even try a complimentary set courtesy of Tr’ roll Domino News Conglomerates. But she was having none of it quick as a flash she made light of her small frame and aged appearance and saw off the cheeky two bit wannabe story boy with a flying Kung Fu roll "I told him I might look old pal but that’s because I am mate".

Fine Line Between Fast And Too Fast . . .

"You Got To Slow Down" Yells Angry Gran!

Domino Gran told us exactly that: that there is a fine line between fast and too fast in this new crazy fun embattled game.

"You have to flick them and that; it’s strange you know to see em moving like that" "There’s this thing about it there is a fine line between fast and too fast and not fast enough like driving cooking cars and things that . . . you all do too many fast things far too fast nowadays"

Government roll for Tr’oll idea.

In playing and gaming tests the new "Track Tact Dominoes" (Track Tactical Dominoes) as they are also known have caused quite a stir. While they have been great fun they have also caused some new interest. Apparently they stay on the track so well that the government have shown interest but are yet to say why they want them. Maybe it’s just for a play thing to accompany the snooker tables in the game rooms of the Houses of Commons and Lords. Who Knows? Not Dr Who!

NEW WAYS TO PLAY

The new game is played on tracks and rails. Main versions are 3 main tracks and a choice of playing with another 2 to 4 interdependent tracks The tracks are numbered 1, 2, 3, and 1a, 1b, 2a, & 3b. The tracks consist of 9 rails, which can be reduced to 7,6 or 5. Nine rails will provide 7 tracks. Seven rails will make 5 tracks. 6 rails make 4 tracks. And 5 will make 3.

The following are Game play options, which can be completely or virtually applied to 9, 7, 6 and 5 rail set-ups.

Option 1) Play Each Main Tracks First (i.e. 1; 2; 3;) and in order ‘til both players are knocking/rocking on the in use track. Then start another track.

Option 2) Play in any order on all main tracks until any one player is knocking/rocking and . . .

. . . then use other interdependent tracks (

Option 3) Start on any main track then move on to any other track.

Option 4) Start on any track (with this version you should NOT REALLY USE SWAY/ROCK

Option 5) Make up your own version,

RULES OF SWAY

With the new game players are not only allowed to knock the table but can actually knock well er rock the playing apparatus (the new table? Of the table?) and therefore the dominoes. In one way it is no different to the historical cultural and customary heavy or over enthusiastic table knocking reminiscent of Dominoes when spirits are heightened.

Knocking or being stuck can be EXPRESSED by GENTLY rocking the track. Players are not allowed to use this to an advantage but if pieces do alter enough to be played differently the game carries on; but, the player rocking still misses that go.

above taken from "Project Dominoes" what follows is a more concise and comprehensive account

How To Play:

general rules

Negotiation PLAYERS DECIDE WHICH RULES THEY WANT TO USE. i.e. which Option rules 1, 2, 3, or 4. And whether they are using Main Track Oppies; Bogeys; Knocking/Rocking and Bagsy Placies or whatever rules (see below).

Preparation

PLAYERS DECIDE HOW MANY RAILS THEY WANT TO USE: 9, 7, 6, OR 5. AND WHETHER OR NOT TO USE THE END RESTS. Always use the end rests to establish the positions required for an aggravation free game.

APPLY NORMAL DOMINOS RULES TO THESE VARIABLES AND VERSIONS:

Option 1) Play Each Main Tracks First (i.e. 1; 2; 3;) and in order ‘til both players are knocking/rocking on the in use track.

Then start another track.

Option 2) Play in any order on all main tracks until any one player is knocking/rocking and . . .

. . . then use other interdependent tracks (1a; 1b; etc)

Option 3) Start on any main track then move on to any other track.

OPTIONS 1 to 3 PLAYER CAN MAKE USE OF SWAY OR ROCKING OPTION TO ROLL INTO PLACE THE FIRST DOMINO.

Option 4) Start on any track (with this version you should NOT REALLY USE SWAY/ROCK

Main Track Oppies

Players decide whether to have this rule or not. Once a MT Oppie has been claimed (player asks that, that positioning be allowed before during or when roll completes) and declared valid (other players agree) then it cannot be infringed.

Bogeys

(a) Players decide whether or not to omit a Domino for each player;

(b) Players decide whether or not to omit just 2 or 3 Dominoes for everyone;

from the game until the end.

The Dominoes have to be chosen blind and put in the other bag.

(a) The Bogeys can then only be used as each player runs out of Dominoes or a player has had to Knock/Rock 2 or 3 times.

(a) The Bogeys are then only used by the first 2 or 3 players to run out of Dominoes

Bagsy Placies

Players decide whether or not to allow "calls" for "Placies" or bagsy placies. This rule allows each player to call for a placie where they can place (not roll) one Domino where they want. Only one "placie" is allowed per round of go’s. Thus, I guess the reason shouting "Bagsy".

RULES OF SWAY

With the new game players are not only allowed to knock the table but can actually knock well er rock the playing apparatus instead and therefore the dominoes. In one way it is no different to the historical cultural and customary heavy or over enthusiastic table knocking that is so reminiscent of Dominoes when spirits are heightened.

Knocking or being stuck can be EXPRESSED by GENTLY rocking the track. Players are not allowed to use this to an advantage but if pieces do alter enough to be played differently the game carries on; but, the player rocking still misses that go.

All games can start with the first rolls being tilt/rock/sway assisted.

You can introduce scoring rails by marking in mm or whatever unit you prefer; so that a legally & negotiated defined distance exists for where players can nominate a legal move of any pieces that do not roll all the way up to the piece they are playing onto. Maybe they should make a game about it!

Dominoes and these dominoes can obviously be home made and hand made quite easily. For personal or educational use people can copy most things. And at the end of the day if you cannot make your own version of track tactical dominoes out of old jar/pot lids for yourself then what can you do? If you have bought a set you see how easy it could be done using things like jam jar lids and bendy plastic pipe. If you’re really adventurous you might want to try warping wood poles or doweling. In fact you only need a surface that you can mark out some tracks.

Friction

is a problem though and you will need to test out different combinations of surface (normally the rail) x domino material x angle of slant or curvature of curve if you are to have slip free dominoes.

Doubles you could make double blank/whatever domino on tracks. Making dominoes with numbers on only one side of the circles or octagonal can do this. Then you would have 28 double blanks and an extra number/blank.

An Abacus? Well we think so:  if you look closely for long enough I’m sure some ideas will spring to mind.

Ps: I almost nearly forgot to mention octagonal rolling dominoes purely because I wanted someone else to tell you. all you need is 2 small square pieces of wood or card about 24mm X 24mm X 4 to 5mm in thickness. Then you need to get a small circle or use a compass - the circle should be 1 to 1.5mm larger in diameter than the squares are square. Your square can now be marked (see diagram below) with curves on the corners. When you’ve done this you have to cut or file down to the curved mark until you have a nice smooth edge (and rounded if you prefer) your artwork is now half ready-ish, who’s counting? Now glue (or otherwise attach?) and align the domino halves so that they are crossed but square on to each other.

Glue, align square on and hold firmly but not too tight. You should be able to let go after a couple of minutes and rest the piece gently but so as not to alter or stress the joint.

Your halves will look octagonal and roll really well on 9/10mm doweling rail.