posted 12-15-2011 10:59 AM            

It is a set of four groups of things that seem to be associated with a four-person game of some sort - but not the actual game itself. Mahjong? Bridge? Chinese characters and dragons suggest the former, but what are the little "toast racks" for? Cards? Toast? Mahjong tiles? And the tumblers? Cigarettes? Vodka? Jeez, who made this stuff up? Any help would be gratefully received.

posted 12-15-2011 11:59 AM            

My first guess is it is for Liar's Dice.

There was a time when Mahjong was originally a card game (see below for card photo). Perhaps this was used when playing with Mahjong cards.

There are other Chinese card games perhaps Kon Khin/Khanhoo

I think Liar's Dice fits best. I suppose the "match boxes" were dice holders.

Mahjong cards:

Then again maybe it is for a true game of Gin Rummy... those cups would be great for gin and or rum

posted 12-15-2011 01:07 PM            

I have never played Lair’s Dice. This is my understanding of how to play.

--> Supply two to four players with a dice cup, a dice tray, betting slips/counters (use the racks to organize) and five dice.

--> To start, each player rolls one die. The highest roller becomes the "caller" and will go first; then the play will proceed to the left.

--> The round begins with the "caller", shaking five dice in the cup and turning the cup upside (into the silver dice tray).

--> The "caller" peeks at their dice, keeping the results hidden from the other players. The “caller” then decides whether they want to stand pat or draw. If the "caller" chooses to draw, they may re-roll any number of dice. The “caller” may re-roll up to two times in one turn.

--> The "caller" announces their "hand." The "caller" must be specific, i.e., "I have three fours". Saying "I have three of a kind." is not specific enough.

--> Rank the hands in this order:

• five of a kind
  
• four of a kind
  
• full house (three of a kind and one pair)
  
• high straight (2-3-4-5-6)
  
• low straight (1-2-3-4-5)
  
• three of a kind
  
• two pair
  
• one pair

--> If challenged the player must reveal their dice. If the challenger is wrong and you were honest about your hand, the challenger must put a counter into the pot. If you are caught bluffing, you must put a counter into the pot.

--> Begin a new round each time a challenge is made.