A Texas game at a Texas lodge
The Friday School of Instruction is frequently followed by a session of 42, the partnership domino game built around bidding, trumps, and trick-taking. It is social enough for a lodge table and strategic enough to produce serious opinions about the proper bid.
Texas 42 dates to 1887. The Texas Legislature later recognized 42 as the official State Domino Game of Texas. A standard game uses a double-six set of 28 dominoes, four players in two partnerships, and seven tricks. The five "count" dominoes contribute 35 points; the seven tricks add seven more—producing the game's 42-point name.
Why it fits the Friday school
Instruction requires concentration. Forty-Two shifts the room into a different kind of concentration: reading the table, remembering what has been played, choosing trump, bidding a hand, and trying not to give away the count. The result is equal parts strategy, competition, and fellowship.
Tournament success
Members Bill Fortney and Jim McCoy earned first place in the Papa Tom's 42 Tournament at the Grand Master's Southeastern Conference. Their tournament photograph is part of the Lodge's collection shown here.
Historical game background is based on the Texas Legislature's 2011 resolution recognizing Texas 42 and generally accepted standard-game rules. House Concurrent Resolution 84 identifies the game's 1887 Texas origin.
