GAMES & GATHERINGS · 3 MIN READ
42: The Official State Domino Game of Texas
Four players, two partnerships, and dominoes doing something considerably more interesting than standing in a line waiting to fall over.
What it is: A trick-taking game played with a standard double-six domino set. Each player gets seven tiles. Players bid on how many points their partnership can capture, and the highest bidder usually chooses which numbered suit beats the others.
There are 42 points available in each hand. The name is refreshingly literal.
Texas designated it the official State Domino Game in 2011. That’s a respectable amount of recognition for something you can play at the kitchen table.
Things only a Naybor would tell you
The origin story deserves to be told before the first hand.
According to the history recounted in Texas’s legislative resolution, 12-year-old William A. Thomas and 14-year-old Walter Earl developed the game in 1887 after getting in trouble for playing cards. Their Baptist families disapproved of card games, but dominoes were acceptable.
So the boys found a workaround. Eventually, the legislature honored it.
Then there’s nel-o, a variation in which the bidder tries to lose every trick while their partner sits out. Suddenly, a hand you weren’t proud of starts looking promising. Agree beforehand whether your table allows it.
Learn the rules
Pagat’s Texas 42 guide explains bidding, scoring, which dominoes beat which, and common variations.
Start with the basic partnership game. Save the extra contracts for an evening when nobody is still asking whose turn it is.
Get the dominoes
Any complete double-six set—28 tiles—will work.
If you prefer larger pieces, Billiard Factory carries a tournament-size double-six set. Oversized tiles are a preference, not an admission requirement.
Check the set already in your cupboard before buying another one.
How to organize it
Find four players and, ideally, one person who knows the game. Partners sit opposite each other.
Post in your Nayborlee group:
“Anyone up for learning Texas 42? It’s a partnership game played with dominoes. Looking for four players, including someone willing to teach. I’ll provide the table and snacks.”
Start with a practice hand and explain the scoring as you go. If someone grew up playing, ask which house rules their family used before discovering them mid-game.
Space needed: A table with room for each player’s tiles and the completed tricks. Choose a surface the host is comfortable having dominoes played on. Enthusiasm doesn’t require furniture damage.
Work-from-home midday verdict: Better for an after-work gathering while you’re learning. Once everyone knows the rules, agree on a limited number of hands for a shorter session.
Do you need a strong partner? Experience helps, but patience matters more for a new group. Choose someone who can explain a missed opportunity without turning it into your performance review.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions
Do we need special Texas 42 dominoes?
No. A standard double-six set is enough.
Why is it called 42?
Each hand offers seven points for winning tricks, plus 35 points from particular scoring dominoes.
Is it like ordinary matching dominoes?
No. Players bid and compete to win tricks, with one tile played by each person per trick.
Is nel-o part of every game?
No. It’s a variation, and groups differ on whether and when they allow it.
Can we learn without an experienced player?
Yes. Choose one rules guide, read the basics together, and play an open practice hand before keeping score.