How to Play 42 Dominoes

Keep reading to understand the game’s rules, and strategies, and also have a few specific questions answered.

The Basics of 42 Dominoes

They have been used for various games and pastimes throughout history, with 42 Dominoes being one of the most popular variants.

Components

A standard double-six set of dominoes is used, consisting of 28 tiles. The game is played with four players, forming two teams of two players each, sitting across from each other.

Objective

The primary goal of 42 Dominoes is for a team to be the first to score 250 points. The maximum points a team can win each round is 42.

Board setup

Players sit facing their partners, and the dominoes are shuffled face-down on the table. Each player draws 7 dominoes tiles to form their hand.

Play 42 Dominoes

Before the game starts, players draw dominoes from the shuffled set to determine the first player. The player with the highest tile starts the game.

• Shuffle and draw dominoes. Each player gets 7 dominoes in their hand. Dominoes have two suits represented by the values on each side. Double dominoes like 6-6 and 5-5 have the same suit on both sides. The suits rank from high to low: sixes, fives, fours, threes, twos, ones, and blanks. During each round, players play one domino each to the table, forming a trick with 4 dominoes in total. There are 7 tricks in each round, and each trick is worth 1 point.
• Bidding. Bidding begins with the player to the dealer’s left, and they estimate the total points their team can earn from tricks and point dominoes. Each player gets only one bid per round, and subsequent players must surpass the previous bid. The maximum bid allowed is 42. Players can choose to say “pass” during bidding. If all players pass without making a bid, the dominoes are reshuffled and dealt again.
• Choosing trump suit. The highest bidder declares the trump suit for the round. The trump suit takes precedence over all other suits during tricks and becomes the highest-ranking suit for that round. Additionally, the player can consider doubles as a suit when choosing the trump. For example, if a player has a double 6-6, it becomes the most valuable domino piece for the round.
• Win tricks. The highest bidder selects a domino from their hand and places it in the center, determining the lead suit for the trick. The other players must follow suit and play a domino with the same lead suit if they have one in their hand. If not, they can play in the trump suit. If they cannot play that either, they can play any domino piece. The winner collects all the dominoes played to the trick and starts the next trick. This repeats until all dominoes are played.
• Start a new round. Pass the dealer role to the player on the left. Flip over and shuffle the dominoes before drawing new hands for the next round. Continue playing until a team reaches 250 points.

Scoring

Point dominoes worth 5 points: 5-0, 4-1, and 2-3.
Point dominoes worth 10 points: 5-5 and 6-4.

The bidding team calculates the points earned from point dominoes and winning tricks. If their points equal or surpass their bid, they collect all the earned points.

For a missed bid, the non-bidding team receives points equal to the bid amount. If the non-bidding team prevents the bidding team from making their bid, it’s considered a set. In this case, the bidding team earns 0 points, and the non-bidding team gets points equal to the bid amount.

The non-bidding team earns points for their tricks and point dominoes. Each trick they win adds 1 point to their score, and they also earn points for any point dominoes from the tricks they won.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the dominoes dealt in 42 Dominoes?

To begin the game, seven dominoes are dealt to each player in a clockwise direction. The player who bids the highest gets to play the first domino.

What is the significance of the Trump suit in 42 Dominoes?

The trump suit is named during the bidding process. It elevates the ranking of the dominoes in that suit and gives an advantage to the team that wins the bid.

How are points scored in 42 Dominoes?

Each trick won by a team is worth 1 point. A trick is won by playing the highest domino in the suit led. The team that captures the 5-count dominoes earns points. These dominoes include 2 tiles worth 10 points each and 3 tiles worth 5 points each, making a total of 35 points.

Is there a time limit for making a move in 42 Dominoes?

While there is no strict time limit, players are encouraged to make their moves promptly to keep the game flowing smoothly and maintain enjoyment for all players.

Can I play 42 Dominoes online with friends?

Yes, there are various online platforms and apps that offer the option to play 42 Dominoes with friends or against other players from around the world.

You can also play other domino games by downloading the Domino Duel app.