This sweet and innocent-looking set of 21 V-shaped trominoes (3 squares each) can entertain a four-year-old with simple patterns, yet infuriate a grown-up expert with tough challenges. See, for example, the three-color problem. Math professor Norton Starr originally commissioned this set to demonstrate proof of a theorem, that an 8x8 grid can be filled with trominoes no matter where you leave the empty space. We coupled this with a color-separation feature, then added an original puzzle concept by Oriel Maximé, of filling the Vs on grids around strategically placed barricades. The 28 "Bends" layouts cover four levels, from Easy to Expert. Other challenges and game rules are included. A feature not shown in the booklet is a pretty alphabet, discovered later. All acrylic, 7 tiles each of 3 luminous transparent colors in 7" tray with engraved grid lines. You can choose from three color combinations. Ages 4 to adult, 1 or 2 players. $35

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One of our constant bestsellers! All the shapes of 1 through 5 squares in size (polyominoes orders 1 through 5) fill a 6" tray. The colorful lasercut acrylic pieces also serve for six games and hundreds of other puzzle shapes, as shown in the 52-page handbook. See also the special Anniversary designs we created with the full Poly-5 set for the 25th annual Maryland Renaissance Festival (2001) and 50th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival. For 1 to 4 players, ages 8 to adult. Poly-5 is available in five color choices. $35

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36 acrylic pieces include all the shapes of 6 squares joined ("hexominoes"). Each piece has a name. They are sized to be compatible with Poly-5, for those who want the extra excitement of combining the whole series. The 8˝" tray and game grid accommodate four strategic games and hundreds of puzzles. Sextillions is available in several color combinations. Suitable for 1 to 6 players, ages 12 to adult. $55

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This set of the 108 shapes of 7 squares joined ("heptominoes") is for only the most dedicated. Three colors form congruent rectangles, each with a center hole, in a 13x18" acrylic tray with lid. This is the famous solution originally found by David Klarner decades ago. Here's a different solution (17KB). The pieces are sized to fit with Poly-5 and Sextillions for those who want to try mega-combinations. No instructions; you're on your own with this one. Heptominoes set is available by special order only. Please indicate 3 color preferences. $150

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Okay, so we don't know when to leave well enough alone. This expanse of 369 different shapes holds all the ways eight squares can be joined. The elegant solution shown, as three congruent rectangles, is by David Bird. Notice how he saved the simpler, chunkier shapes to the last, where you see them clustered together in the lower rectangle. Six pieces, symmetrically centered, have an unfillable enclosed space, so we dot those with contrasting colors. We thank Professor Jack Wetterer for inspiring us to switch to this pattern. Here is a different solution. And here is a mega-solution by Karl Wilk that incorporates the octominoes in a solution of polyominoes 1 through 9. — Our Octominoes are served up without instructions, in a 23x47" tray with lid, suitable for hanging on a sturdy wall or even turning into a coffee table. The lid fastens with 6 decorative brass acorn bolts (not shown). Available by custom order only. Please indicate a color preference from our transparent colors, and give us at least one month to make it. Need we say this set is suitable mainly for teen and adult puzzle champs?$550 plus $25 oversize shipping surcharge

Shown here 3/4 scale to our other puzzles.

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