What Is Texas 42?
A trick-taking domino game that's been a Texas tradition since the 1880s. Think Spades or Bridge—but with bones.
Texas 42 (often just called "42") plays like a card game but with dominoes. Four players form two partnerships, bidding for the right to name trump and competing to win tricks.
In 2011, the Texas Legislature officially designated 42 as the State Domino Game of Texas. It's played at family reunions, church socials, and competitive tournaments across the Lone Star State.
Players
4 players in 2 teams of 2. Partners sit across from each other.
Equipment
Standard double-six domino set with 28 tiles. Each player gets 7.
Time
30-60 minutes per game. Fast-paced rounds keep it exciting.
Skill Level
Intermediate. Easy to learn, lifetime to master.
Setup & Deal
What You Need
- A standard double-six domino set (28 tiles, from 0-0 to 6-6)
- 4 players sitting in partnerships (partners sit across from each other)
- Pencil and paper to track points
The Deal
- Shuffle all 28 dominoes face-down on the table
- Each player draws 7 dominoes and keeps them hidden
- The player left of the dealer bids first
- After each hand, the deal passes clockwise
Bidding
Bidding determines which team gets to name the trump suit. The minimum bid is 30 and the maximum is 42 (a "42 bid" means you're claiming all points).
Bidding Rules
- Starting left of dealer, each player gets one chance to bid or pass
- Each bid must be higher than the previous
- The highest bidder wins and names trump
- If all four pass, the dealer must bid 30
Count your "sure tricks"—dominoes that will definitely win (like the 6-6 or any double in your strong suit). Add count dominoes you can capture. If your total approaches 30+, consider bidding.
Naming Trump
After winning the bid, declare a trump suit: blanks, ones, twos, threes, fours, fives, or sixes. You can also bid "no trump" where no suit is trump.
How Suits Work
Each domino belongs to two suits based on its ends. The 4-2 belongs to both fours and twos. When fours are trump, the 4-2 is a trump domino.
Doubles Are Highest
Within any suit, the double is always highest. If fours are trump, 4-4 is the highest trump. In sixes, 6-6 beats 6-5, which beats 6-4.
Playing The Hand
- The bid winner leads the first trick by playing any domino
- Play continues clockwise
- Follow suit if possible—play a domino matching the led suit
- If you can't follow suit, play any domino (including trump)
- Highest domino in led suit wins—unless trumped
- Trick winner leads the next trick
- Continue until all 7 tricks are played
Lead with your strong suits early to pull trump from opponents. If defending, force the bidder to use trump on low-value tricks.
Scoring
There are exactly 42 points available each hand:
| Domino | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5-5 | 10 pts | The "Big Ten" |
| 6-4 | 10 pts | Count domino |
| 5-0 | 5 pts | Count domino |
| 4-1 | 5 pts | Count domino |
| 3-2 | 5 pts | Count domino |
| Each trick | 1 pt | 7 tricks total |
| Total | 42 pts | 35 count + 7 tricks |
Winning the Hand
- If bidders win their bid amount, they score captured points
- If bidders fail, opponents score the bid amount
- Defenders always score what they capture (if bidders make it)
Winning the Game
First team to 250 points wins. Some play to 500.
FAQ
Exactly 4 players in two partnerships. Partners sit across from each other.
A standard double-six set with 28 tiles. Each player gets 7.
There are 42 points each hand: 35 from count dominoes + 7 for tricks.
Yes! The Texas Legislature designated 42 as the State Domino Game in 2011.
Soon! Dominologist launches Q2 2026 with competitive Texas 42, live tournaments, and real-time matchmaking.