Quick Rules
42 is the partnership domino game of Texas, played like a card game with tricks and trumps. You and North (a computer partner across the table) play against West and East with a double-six set of 28 dominoes. Everyone draws seven.
- Bid. Starting at the shaker's left, each player bids once or passes. A bid is the number of points your side promises to take, from 30 up to 42, or 1 mark (all 42). Each bid must be higher than the last.
- Name trump. The high bidder names trump: a number from blanks to sixes, the doubles, or no trump at all. Every domino with the trump number on it is a trump.
- Suits. Any other domino is led as its higher end: the 6-4 leads as a six. A double is the top of its suit.
- Play. The bidder leads first. Follow suit if you can; if not, play anything, including a trump. The highest trump wins, or the highest domino of the suit led.
- Count. Each trick is worth 1 point. The 6-4 and 5-5 are worth 10 more, and the 5-0, 4-1 and 3-2 are worth 5. That makes 42 points a hand.
- Score. If the bidders take at least their bid they win a mark. If not, they are set and the other side gets the mark. The first side to 7 marks wins.
Our table sorts your dominoes into labeled suits once trump is named, puts a small 10 or 5 badge on the count dominoes and keeps a running count of the points. Play differently at home? Open Settings for point scoring, the forced bid and Nello, and see Texas 42 rule variations.
Read the full Texas 42 rules with examples and a scoring table
Tips for Winning at 42
- Count trumps and doubles before you bid. Four trumps including the double, plus a double or two on the side, is a solid 30 or 31.
- Lead trump when you win the bid. Pull the other side's trumps so your doubles can walk home.
- Feed count to your partner. When North is sure to win a trick, add your 5s and 10s to it.
- Keep count away from the other side. When you can't win a trick, play a domino with no count on it.
- Keep count in your head. The bar above the table shows the points each side has and what is still out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Texas 42 game free?
Yes. You can play as many games of 42 as you like for free, with no account, no email and no download.
Does the computer cheat?
No. The computer players, including your partner, can't see anyone else's dominoes. They know their own seven dominoes, the bids and every domino played so far, the same as you. At the end of every hand, tap Show All Hands to see what everyone drew. Every game has a deal number; tap Replay This Deal, or type the number in Settings, to play the same dominoes again.
Which suit does a domino belong to?
Once trump is named, every domino with the trump number on either end is a trump and nothing else. Any other domino is led as its higher end, so the 6-4 leads as a six, but it can also follow fours when fours are led. A double is the highest domino of its suit. Our game sorts your dominoes into labeled suits and tells you what a domino counts as when you tap it.
Why is it called 42?
Each hand is worth 42 points: 1 point for each of the 7 tricks, plus 35 points in the five count dominoes. The 6-4 and 5-5 are worth 10 each, and the 5-0, 4-1 and 3-2 are worth 5 each.
What is a mark?
A mark is one hand won. Texas players keep score by drawing marks, and the first side to 7 marks wins the game. A bid of 1 mark means your side will take all 42 points; a 2-mark bid is worth two marks to whichever side wins the hand.
Can I play Nello or keep score in points?
Yes. Open Settings and look under House rules. You can switch to point scoring to 250, turn off the forced bid so passed hands are reshaken, and allow Nello, where the bidder plays alone and tries to take no tricks.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. Your game is saved in your browser after every bid and every domino. Close the page and come back later, and you can pick up where you left off on the same device.
Like dominoes with a scoring twist? Try All Fives, where you score multiples of five on the ends. Prefer cards? Euchre and Spades are partnership trick games much like 42.
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