At age 12, I learned a different kind of “Bridge”, the sophisticated four-handed card game. A rancher named Jim Sedberry, and his two children, taught me “42”.
You play “42” with dominoes instead of a deck of cards. Points are calculated from multiples of fives on the dominoes. This domino bidding game is named for a 42 “grand slam”. If you bid and win all seven “tricks”, you score 42 points. This game taught early-in-life ranch hands how to multiply.
After the supper table was cleared, I learned “42” by the light of two kerosene lanterns. Mom Sedberry was glad I came to the ranch between Hamlin and Aspermont because that evening she didn’t have to play.
First you draw seven, down-turned dominoes from a pile of 28, face down, numbers hidden, well-shuffled.
Then you bid, in order, one time around the table, the number of “tricks” you think you and your partner across the table will win. If Texas farm and ranch hands or family members in Brady might read, please forgive me. I know I’m telling Noah about the Flood.
Old Cowboy Pop Sedberry owned a hearing aid that he never used—except for “42” games. He turned on the device to hear the bids. Then he turned the instrument off and stuck the device in his shirt pocket before he declared,
“No more talking. I don’t want to see any lips move.”
At age 13, I went back to the Sedberry ranch and worked an Easter vacation round up. Those three days of riding and roping dogies made me vow never to wear a pair of cowboy boots again.
But I still like to play “42”. And no talking or gestures when you play your dominoes.
Never was a very good bidder…..