Pecos County Senior Center hosts games of 42
Dominoes have always been a part of Texas culture
The game of 42 has long been a staple of Texas socializing. Whether at a friend’s house, a party, community center or even The Green Frog Cafe in Monahans, it is a game with deep Lone Star roots.
According to a 1985 news article written by Christopher Evans of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the game originated in Garner, Texas. Two local boys, William Thomas and Walter Earl, developed the game in response to a general disapproval of card-playing games held by many churches at that time. William and Walter were able to incorporate dominoes in their game, which mimicked the mechanics of a trick-taking card game like pitch. The game they developed, which was the precursor to today’s 42, found acceptance because dominoes did not carry the negative stigma of cardplaying. From there, the game spread throughout Texas. Today 42 is called the “State game of Texas.”
If you have ever been interested in this particular game of dominoes, the Pecos County Senior Center will host 42 games the first and third Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome, no matter your skill level. Beginners are especially invited. You will learn the rules of the game while enjoying the opportunity to make new friends. Most importantly, the Senior Center is airconditioned, and open to any Pecos County resident 50 and older. Dues are just $5 (a year) for the calendar year.
The Pecos County Senior Center is located at 1010 W. 14th Street in Fort Stockton. For more information call 432-336-2302.
And finally, if you were wondering about that reference to The Green Frog Cafe earlier in this story, it is a bar mentioned in the song “Desperados Waiting For a Train” written by Guy Clark and performed by Jerry Jeff Walker on the album Viva Terlingua. The Green Frog Cafe was located in nearby Monahans, but is now long gone. Here’s the verse: “From the time that I could walk he’d take me with him To a bar called the Green Frog Cafe There was old men playing 42 and dominoes Lying ‘bout their lives while they played” See you at the Senior Center on Thursday and it’s your bid!
