Section 2: Equipment
Required Playing Pieces
A standard set contains 54 rectangular wooden blocks used as the game's playing pieces. The blocks are intended to be similar in size but may have slight natural variations in thickness, grain, friction, and weight. Those small differences are part of the challenge.
A common full-size block is approximately 7.5 centimeters long, 2.5 centimeters wide, and 1.5 centimeters high. Sets made for travel, children, or oversized outdoor play may use different dimensions. All players in a game must use the same complete set.
Inspection and Preparation
- Count the blocks before play. A 54-block set forms 18 complete starting layers.
- Remove any block that is cracked, splintered, wet, sticky, or dangerously damaged.
- Do not wax, sand, mark, weight, or otherwise alter selected blocks to change their behavior during a game.
- If a set has fewer or more than 54 usable blocks, players may still play by agreement, provided the starting tower consists entirely of complete three-block layers.
No timer, score sheet, stacking sleeve, or other accessory is required for ordinary play. A stacking sleeve may help construct the initial tower, but it must be removed before the first turn.