This lot has 186 vintage, c. late 19th - early 20th century, hand-made bone counting sticks for Mah-jongg, a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China and has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. What are mahjong counting sticks used for? Scoring Sticks (counting sticks, betting sticks, bones, tallies, counters, tenbo [??]) like chips, are used to keep score. Sticks have different number of spots which correspond to different denominations. The sticks are in very good condition considering their age, measure 2.25"L each