Rules for 'Texas 42'
Rules for 'Texas 42'
42 is an old game played by Texans for many years. It is quite
easy to play, and provides many hours of entertainment for players
of all ages. 42 requires four players, teamed in 2 pairs. The
computer provides both your partner and both of your opponents.
Partners sit opposite each other, which means your partner will sit
at the top of the screen. In this manner, players from each team
always follow an opposing players play.
1. Terms Used in 42
Suit - There are seven dominoes in each suit, six with the
number of dots on one end being the same and one with the number of
dots on both ends being the same. The latter is called a double.
EXAMPLE: Listed in the order of their importance: 2-2, 2-6,
2-5, 2-4, 2-3, 2-2, 2-1, 2-0.
Doubles can also be classed as a suit, for instance, in the same
order of importance: 6-6, 5-5, 4-4, 3-3, 2-2, 1-1, 0-0.
There are a total of 8 different suits: Blanks, 1's, 2's, 3's,
4's, 5's, 6's, and Doubles.
Trick - A trick consists of 4 dominoes, each player playing 1
domino in clockwise rotation around the table. There are seven
tricks to each hand.
Trumps - The highest bidder's suit becomes the main trumps for
the duratio of one hand. Trumps are higher than any domino and
will take tricks including doubles of other suits.
Offs - Any domino in a bidder's hand that is not a trump or
double is considered an "off".
Walker - Any domino which has not been played, and is the
highest in its suit after the double and other higher ones have
been played is said to be a "walker". This domino, like a double,
is a good lead.
Count Dominoes - There are 5 count dominoes in a double six set
of dominoes, 5-5 and 6-4 which count 10 points, and 0-5, 3-2, and
1-4 which count 5 points apiece. One of the main objects of
playing each hand is to catch as many of these dominoes as
possible.
Count - Each trick counts 1 point plus the values of "count"
dominoes in each trick.
2. Dealing
A dealer is selected to start the game, and this is always the
opponent on your right. The dominoes are shuffled in a random
fashion (by the computer), and each player is delt seven dominoes.
Only your dominoes can be seen by you. At succeeding hands, the
dealer shifts clockwise around the table, that is, you will be the
second dealer. Note that the term "dealing" in this version really
only affects the first bidder.
3. Bidding
Rotation of Bid - The player sitting to the left of the dealer
is the first bidder. This means that when the game starts, you
will be the first bidder. You have the option of bidding, passing,
or playing trash, which will be explained later. If you happen to
be the last bidder, and all other players have passed, the pass
option is not allowed. After all bids are in, the highest bidder
gets to begin play.
The Different Bids - Always bid the numerical value of your hand
but never reveal the trumps you are bidding until you have won the
bid. The different bids are 30, 31, 32, 33, etc. on up to 42.
Bids above 42 depend on two things: someone must have already bid
42, and you must bid a multiple of 42, i.e. 84, 126, etc.
How to Bid - After the dealer has finished and you receive your
seven dominoes, pick out the best looking suit of dominoes in your
hand. These are your trumps. The double of your trump is
important but not 100 percent necessary, but keep in mind count
dominoes. Then pick out your doubles, since these are also
important to your play. Any domino left in your hand that is not a
trump or a double is an "off". These are the dominoes you take
chances on your partner catching. Determine by the number of
trumps you have plus the number of doubles you have, how many
tricks you can catch and bid accordingly.
EXAMPLES:
30-35 bidding: 2's are trumps, 2-2, 2-6, 2-3, 2-1, Double 5-5,
"offs" are 3-1, 1-0.
30-35 bidding without double: 6's are trumps, 6-5, 6-4, 5-2,
Doubles: 5-5, 3-3, Possible walker: 3-1 and "off" 4-2
42-84-126-168: 4's are trumps, 4-4, 4-6, 4-3, Doubles: 1-1,
2-2, 3-3, Possible Walker: 3-1
As you gain experience, you will learn how to take chances
bidding on weak hands. Keep in mind that your partner may have the
necessary dominoes to complete your hand, and a good strategy is to
play into your partners hand when you have a bad "off" lead. Learn
to count on your partner for help in catching your "offs" and for
help in bidding, as well as playing "count" dominoes on the tricks
that you catch.
4. Basic Rules
Players must follow suit led by the first player of each trick.
If trumps are not led, the highest suit on the domino led
establishes the suit you must follow. If it is not possible to
follow suit, a trump, count domino, or an "off" may be played.
Trumps can NOT be played if it is possible to follow suit with
other dominoes. The highest trump or highest domino takes the
trick. When doubles are trumps, the lead of a double requires all
players to play a double when possible or follow suit of the double
led.
5. Playing Your Bid
Always be sure in playing the bid to get all your trumps in as
soon as possible unless you find out that your partner is holding
all the trumps that are still out. If trumps are still in your
opponents hands they can trump in on your tricks that contain count
dominoes and "set" you much easier. If the high trump is still out
then lead a small trump in order to force play of the higher trump.
EXAMPLE: A simple 30-35 bid hand which appears like this - 2's
are trumps, 2-2, 2-6, 2-3, 2-1, Double 5-5, Offs 3-1, 1-0.
First play the 2-2 to pull as many trumps as possible then play
6-2 to pull any additional trumps (if all the trumps are played
on 2-2 it is still best to lead the second trump so your partner
can play a count domino that he might have). If all the trumps
have been played except those in your hand, then play the 5-5
which is worth ten points, and also has a chance of pulling in
the 0-5, which is worth 5 points. After the 5-5 is played, lead
an off lead that you feel your partner can catch. If your
opponent catches it, then you still have a trump in which to get
back in the lead. However, if no one plays a counter on the
next trick, it is safe to discard the other off on that trick
without going set. Try to save a trump for the last trick on
30-35 bids. All the count dominoes that your opponents have
been holding will usually be played on the last trick.
6. Defensive Playing
When defensive playing, always try to play as many count
dominoes on your partner's tricks as possible.
If you are holding two trumps in your hand and one is next to
the double, play the lowest trump and hold onto the high trump so
you can catch the next trick. This will enable your partner to
play his count domino. Anytime you follow a bidder, and it is
evident that one of the high trumps is out against him, take a
chance your partner has the high trump by playing a count on the
trick. There is a 50-50 chance that your partner will take the
trick.
In determining what "off" to hold for, keep track of what has
been played. A record of play is kept on either side of the
screen, so you can review all plays of a particular hand at any
time. Try to notice when the other players do not have a
particular suit. For example, if your partner leads a 3-2, you
take it with a 3-4, and the other players do not follow suit with a
"3", then it is assured that either a 3-1 or 3-0 will either walk
or play into your partner's hand, provided no trumps are out.
7. Playing Trash
A bidding option mentioned previously is called Trash.
Situations often arise where you are dealt a hand that is simply
terrible, but you end up stuck with the bid. It is quit obvious
that you cannot make 30, so you can bid Trash.
A trash hand is one in which the bidder tries NOT to take any
tricks. His partner turns his hand face down, and the bidder plays
only against his two opponents. In order to bid in trash, the
bidder must bid 42, or a multiple thereof.
When you bid trash, you will only lead one time at the start.
This is when you should lead your worst lead, typically the 1-0.
This will almost always play into your opponents hands. From then
on, you must play defensively, but try to LOSE each trick. If you
happen to take a trick, you lose the hand immediately.
8. Scoring
A game of 42 is played to 300 points. Scoring for each hand is
as follows:
5-5 10 Points
6-4 10 Points
4-1 5 Points
0-5 5 Points
3-2 5 Points
Each Trick 1 Point
There are 7 tricks per hand which total 42 points. To determine
if a bid is made, add the number of points in the bidders tricks.
If they do not total the amount bid or more, then he is "set".
Tricks with count dominoes in them still count 1 point for the
trick, plus the value of the count domino.
If you are fortunate and "set" your opponents, you score the
amount that they bid, plus the amount of your own tricks. If you
make your own bid, you score the bid plus the amount in your
tricks.
Trash is scored differently. Since the bid is 42 or a multiple
thereof, you can only win or lose a maximum of your bid. This is a
good strategy when the game is tight and you are stuck with the bid
and a lousy hand. If you were to bid 30 and lose, you could give
your opponents 72 points, yet if you bid in trash and lost, you
could only lose what you bid, usually only 42.
9. Playing the Game
The game is started by typing BASIC 42. The game screen will
then appear, with your first hand in front of you. You and your
partner's score will appear in the upper left corner of the screen,
and your opponent's in the upper right. Since the opponent on your
right dealt, you will be the first bidder. You can type in a bid,
or "P" for pass. If you are the last bidder and no one else has
bid, you must bid.
If you are the high bidder, you then are prompted for the trump
suit. This is either a number from 0-6, "D" for doubles, or "T"
for trash. Note that you can only bid trash if your bid was 42 or
a multiple thereof. Play will then begin by prompting you for
PLAY?. You can then type in the number of any domino remaining in
your hand. If you try to play a domino that you don't have, or an
illegal play, the computer will BEEP and prompt you for another
play.
One option that you have is if you get the bid, state the trump
suit, and then decide that you don't want to play that suit, you
can type "C" for change suit as your first play. This is only
allowed on your first play, since you cannot change trump suits in
the middle of the game.
Have fun and enjoy!
42 is an old game played by Texans for many years. It is quite
easy to play, and provides many hours of entertainment for players
of all ages. 42 requires four players, teamed in 2 pairs. The
computer provides both your partner and both of your opponents.
Partners sit opposite each other, which means your partner will sit
at the top of the screen. In this manner, players from each team
always follow an opposing players play.
1. Terms Used in 42
Suit - There are seven dominoes in each suit, six with the
number of dots on one end being the same and one with the number of
dots on both ends being the same. The latter is called a double.
EXAMPLE: Listed in the order of their importance: 2-2, 2-6,
2-5, 2-4, 2-3, 2-2, 2-1, 2-0.
Doubles can also be classed as a suit, for instance, in the same
order of importance: 6-6, 5-5, 4-4, 3-3, 2-2, 1-1, 0-0.
There are a total of 8 different suits: Blanks, 1's, 2's, 3's,
4's, 5's, 6's, and Doubles.
Trick - A trick consists of 4 dominoes, each player playing 1
domino in clockwise rotation around the table. There are seven
tricks to each hand.
Trumps - The highest bidder's suit becomes the main trumps for
the duratio of one hand. Trumps are higher than any domino and
will take tricks including doubles of other suits.
Offs - Any domino in a bidder's hand that is not a trump or
double is considered an "off".
Walker - Any domino which has not been played, and is the
highest in its suit after the double and other higher ones have
been played is said to be a "walker". This domino, like a double,
is a good lead.
Count Dominoes - There are 5 count dominoes in a double six set
of dominoes, 5-5 and 6-4 which count 10 points, and 0-5, 3-2, and
1-4 which count 5 points apiece. One of the main objects of
playing each hand is to catch as many of these dominoes as
possible.
Count - Each trick counts 1 point plus the values of "count"
dominoes in each trick.
2. Dealing
A dealer is selected to start the game, and this is always the
opponent on your right. The dominoes are shuffled in a random
fashion (by the computer), and each player is delt seven dominoes.
Only your dominoes can be seen by you. At succeeding hands, the
dealer shifts clockwise around the table, that is, you will be the
second dealer. Note that the term "dealing" in this version really
only affects the first bidder.
3. Bidding
Rotation of Bid - The player sitting to the left of the dealer
is the first bidder. This means that when the game starts, you
will be the first bidder. You have the option of bidding, passing,
or playing trash, which will be explained later. If you happen to
be the last bidder, and all other players have passed, the pass
option is not allowed. After all bids are in, the highest bidder
gets to begin play.
The Different Bids - Always bid the numerical value of your hand
but never reveal the trumps you are bidding until you have won the
bid. The different bids are 30, 31, 32, 33, etc. on up to 42.
Bids above 42 depend on two things: someone must have already bid
42, and you must bid a multiple of 42, i.e. 84, 126, etc.
How to Bid - After the dealer has finished and you receive your
seven dominoes, pick out the best looking suit of dominoes in your
hand. These are your trumps. The double of your trump is
important but not 100 percent necessary, but keep in mind count
dominoes. Then pick out your doubles, since these are also
important to your play. Any domino left in your hand that is not a
trump or a double is an "off". These are the dominoes you take
chances on your partner catching. Determine by the number of
trumps you have plus the number of doubles you have, how many
tricks you can catch and bid accordingly.
EXAMPLES:
30-35 bidding: 2's are trumps, 2-2, 2-6, 2-3, 2-1, Double 5-5,
"offs" are 3-1, 1-0.
30-35 bidding without double: 6's are trumps, 6-5, 6-4, 5-2,
Doubles: 5-5, 3-3, Possible walker: 3-1 and "off" 4-2
42-84-126-168: 4's are trumps, 4-4, 4-6, 4-3, Doubles: 1-1,
2-2, 3-3, Possible Walker: 3-1
As you gain experience, you will learn how to take chances
bidding on weak hands. Keep in mind that your partner may have the
necessary dominoes to complete your hand, and a good strategy is to
play into your partners hand when you have a bad "off" lead. Learn
to count on your partner for help in catching your "offs" and for
help in bidding, as well as playing "count" dominoes on the tricks
that you catch.
4. Basic Rules
Players must follow suit led by the first player of each trick.
If trumps are not led, the highest suit on the domino led
establishes the suit you must follow. If it is not possible to
follow suit, a trump, count domino, or an "off" may be played.
Trumps can NOT be played if it is possible to follow suit with
other dominoes. The highest trump or highest domino takes the
trick. When doubles are trumps, the lead of a double requires all
players to play a double when possible or follow suit of the double
led.
5. Playing Your Bid
Always be sure in playing the bid to get all your trumps in as
soon as possible unless you find out that your partner is holding
all the trumps that are still out. If trumps are still in your
opponents hands they can trump in on your tricks that contain count
dominoes and "set" you much easier. If the high trump is still out
then lead a small trump in order to force play of the higher trump.
EXAMPLE: A simple 30-35 bid hand which appears like this - 2's
are trumps, 2-2, 2-6, 2-3, 2-1, Double 5-5, Offs 3-1, 1-0.
First play the 2-2 to pull as many trumps as possible then play
6-2 to pull any additional trumps (if all the trumps are played
on 2-2 it is still best to lead the second trump so your partner
can play a count domino that he might have). If all the trumps
have been played except those in your hand, then play the 5-5
which is worth ten points, and also has a chance of pulling in
the 0-5, which is worth 5 points. After the 5-5 is played, lead
an off lead that you feel your partner can catch. If your
opponent catches it, then you still have a trump in which to get
back in the lead. However, if no one plays a counter on the
next trick, it is safe to discard the other off on that trick
without going set. Try to save a trump for the last trick on
30-35 bids. All the count dominoes that your opponents have
been holding will usually be played on the last trick.
6. Defensive Playing
When defensive playing, always try to play as many count
dominoes on your partner's tricks as possible.
If you are holding two trumps in your hand and one is next to
the double, play the lowest trump and hold onto the high trump so
you can catch the next trick. This will enable your partner to
play his count domino. Anytime you follow a bidder, and it is
evident that one of the high trumps is out against him, take a
chance your partner has the high trump by playing a count on the
trick. There is a 50-50 chance that your partner will take the
trick.
In determining what "off" to hold for, keep track of what has
been played. A record of play is kept on either side of the
screen, so you can review all plays of a particular hand at any
time. Try to notice when the other players do not have a
particular suit. For example, if your partner leads a 3-2, you
take it with a 3-4, and the other players do not follow suit with a
"3", then it is assured that either a 3-1 or 3-0 will either walk
or play into your partner's hand, provided no trumps are out.
7. Playing Trash
A bidding option mentioned previously is called Trash.
Situations often arise where you are dealt a hand that is simply
terrible, but you end up stuck with the bid. It is quit obvious
that you cannot make 30, so you can bid Trash.
A trash hand is one in which the bidder tries NOT to take any
tricks. His partner turns his hand face down, and the bidder plays
only against his two opponents. In order to bid in trash, the
bidder must bid 42, or a multiple thereof.
When you bid trash, you will only lead one time at the start.
This is when you should lead your worst lead, typically the 1-0.
This will almost always play into your opponents hands. From then
on, you must play defensively, but try to LOSE each trick. If you
happen to take a trick, you lose the hand immediately.
8. Scoring
A game of 42 is played to 300 points. Scoring for each hand is
as follows:
5-5 10 Points
6-4 10 Points
4-1 5 Points
0-5 5 Points
3-2 5 Points
Each Trick 1 Point
There are 7 tricks per hand which total 42 points. To determine
if a bid is made, add the number of points in the bidders tricks.
If they do not total the amount bid or more, then he is "set".
Tricks with count dominoes in them still count 1 point for the
trick, plus the value of the count domino.
If you are fortunate and "set" your opponents, you score the
amount that they bid, plus the amount of your own tricks. If you
make your own bid, you score the bid plus the amount in your
tricks.
Trash is scored differently. Since the bid is 42 or a multiple
thereof, you can only win or lose a maximum of your bid. This is a
good strategy when the game is tight and you are stuck with the bid
and a lousy hand. If you were to bid 30 and lose, you could give
your opponents 72 points, yet if you bid in trash and lost, you
could only lose what you bid, usually only 42.
9. Playing the Game
The game is started by typing BASIC 42. The game screen will
then appear, with your first hand in front of you. You and your
partner's score will appear in the upper left corner of the screen,
and your opponent's in the upper right. Since the opponent on your
right dealt, you will be the first bidder. You can type in a bid,
or "P" for pass. If you are the last bidder and no one else has
bid, you must bid.
If you are the high bidder, you then are prompted for the trump
suit. This is either a number from 0-6, "D" for doubles, or "T"
for trash. Note that you can only bid trash if your bid was 42 or
a multiple thereof. Play will then begin by prompting you for
PLAY?. You can then type in the number of any domino remaining in
your hand. If you try to play a domino that you don't have, or an
illegal play, the computer will BEEP and prompt you for another
play.
One option that you have is if you get the bid, state the trump
suit, and then decide that you don't want to play that suit, you
can type "C" for change suit as your first play. This is only
allowed on your first play, since you cannot change trump suits in
the middle of the game.
Have fun and enjoy!
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