

Bidīefore commencing each hand, each player will bid to win the choice of trumps. The game consists of a number of hands (a maximum of 13 hands when playing for marks). The object of the game is to be the first team to reach seven "marks" or 250 points. The game is played by four people, in teams of two each, who sit facing each other across the table. From there, the game spread throughout Texas. The game they developed, which was the precursor to today's 42, found acceptance since dominoes did not carry the negative stigma of card-playing. William and Walter were able to incorporate dominoes in their game, which mimicked the mechanics of a trick-taking card game like pitch. Two local boys, William Thomas and Walter Earl, developed the game in response to a general disapproval of card-playing games held by many Protestants at that time. HistoryĪccording to a 1985 news article written by Christopher Evans of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the game of domino originated in Garner, Texas.

In 2011 it was designated the official State Domino Game of Texas. Tournaments are held in many towns, and the State Championship tournament is held annually in Hallettsville, Texas on the first Saturday of March each year. 42 is often referred to as the "national game of Texas".

42, also known as Texas 42, is a trick-taking game played with a standard set of double six dominoes.
