> On a traditional pair of dice, how many dots can be found?And the answer: 42. If you count up the dots on one die, you'll count 6+5+4+3+2+1, which equals 21.So if you have a pair of dice, you'll have twice that, totaling 42 dots.Image: ShutterstockBefore there were dice made of plastic, there were astragals[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/320627/knucklebone]. These were,quite literally, the anklebones of sheep, buffalo, or other animals, and wouldhave markings placed upon four sides. The Aztecs, Mayans, and other culturesmade dice from pebbles, pottery, walnut shells, peach stones, and other similarobjects. Such early dice were often used to divine what the future would hold,but not long passed before dice were discovered to make great game pieces. Photo credit: museum.cetamuradelchianti.comFor example, archaeologists believethat the ancient Chinese played a game involving a 14-sided die made from animaltooth. A game set was discovered with 21 rectangular game pieces and numberspainted on each, as well as a broken tile that was once part of a game boarddecorated with "two eyes … surrounded by cloud-and-thunder patterns.”Archaeologists think the die, pieces, and board were used to play an ancientboard game named "bo" or "liubo" — but the game was last popular in China around1,500 years ago, and today nobody knows the rules.Since the game pieces are centuries old, it's only natural that they take onmany uses in modern day life. Today, there are hundreds (perhaps even thousands)of unique games involving six-sided dice — and a plethora of others whichfeature even more sides, dots and rules. Check out some popular dice games here[http://www.dice-play.com/GamesAZ.htm].