Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 1999)
rjrrl The gt BY ante of dominoes takes over worktime, playtime ofstuM , J a * Kevin Reinecke, a senior infomutioo*?;’! )St on of K Baleba Y SUSAN OVERCASH The Battalion A typical night at Northgate usually means laughs, drinks and friends. A new breed of Friday night partiers are taking over. They are armed with small rectangular boxes filled with lethal white tablets. One play of these tablets can make someone jump for joy or wince in pain, shouting out “Domino!” In Aggieland, it is common to find a heated game of dominoes occurring at every corner, along Northgate, at work and on campus each and every day. Dominoes, traditionally small tiles carved from ivory or bone and inlaid with pips, or small insets of ebony, are a Chinese invention derived from cubic dice. Ken Tidwell, editor of gamecabinet.com, said the game of dominoes dates from A.D. 1100. The game made its way into Europe in the 18th century, evolving into the modern six and nine-count pieces. Today, dominoes are often called “bones,” a term re ferring to one of the original materials used to construct the tiles. Popular games include Mexican train, chick en foot, moon, 42 and straight dominoes. Chris White, a senior mechanical engineering ma jor, said he learned to play dominoes.at an early age. “I’ve been playing as long as 1 knew how to set up,” White said. “When 1 was three or four. I’d sit up with my grandparents and watch. I started to play when 1 was old enough to count. I used to play moon with my parents and brother also.” Keith Kasprzak, a senior electrical engineering ma jor, said he did not learn to play until recently, but now plays several times a week. “I learned how to play in my senior design class,” Kasprzak said. “I downloaded Windows ‘42' from the Web, which helped; it tells you how to play, gives hints and highlights which domino to play. I could play at home, by myself.” Megan Bradbury, a sophomore animal science ma jor, said she plays 42 several times a week with her boyfriend and friends. In 42, also known as Texas 42, four players team up in pairs and try to win “tricks” and “points” — dominoes that add up to a multiple of five. Much like bridge and spades, 42 has a complex bidding and point system. According to the gaming Website www.earth.com. legend has it that a young Baptist boy in East Texas in vented 42 because he was not allowed to play cards. The game 42 is especially popular in Texas, so much that different regions have different rules. Residence Halls such as Lechner Hall have special ized rule books for play in that area. Bradbury, White and Kasprzak agreed the Dixie Chicken and friend’s houses are common places to find a game of dominoes. “I play at the Chicken because you can drink beer, play, chill out and look at the scenery.” Kasprazak said. Bradbury said anywhere with a smooth table is a good place to play a game of dominoes. Philip> Hudgens, a senior petroleum engineering ma jor, said he plays 42 and straight dominoes on campus in the petroleum engineering lounge and is always ready for a game. “I carry dominoes with me at all times,” Hudgens said. “I carry a set in my truck and play just about every day. At times, I devote more time to dominoes than my studies. he h>i. .lid ho loanuxl to play dominoesai closer t I learned to plav at Bus Ops within corn pic ;aid "We play there to pass time. Ipby< pay 1 on. too. but I am normally tootawtoJ&TV11 al a play w ith my friends." defc be i 'i-'.ii aid .i gixxi game of 42 rftjii: theiAgj egy. ii g knowing your partner v,-- opei^ en »e • >1 > < >mpetitiveness. y “I don't reveal m\ socrets.”KasprzakfcfeiiH ih, ’ ' • nr >ie tun to win." jnhi- I Whitt said he does not have a specs;“ C g', simply . r th< hand dealt. we v. i i vhat hand Fridav eve in netting on ev pj ai tw (> dominoes, hit a . we , I just play f<>i entettainment." j ; K ispn radbury both admitp, ing to boost their game. Bradbury said;:: '' ly peeks at other player’s dominoes, r said he sometimes establishes hand sign ner. However, both said they gies. >op throng 9 m GUY ROGERS/Tm- BatTaiTion * m ning. H runs, fi set last Port that str fte he< NkiiMMi Real JOB When the hottest interactive entertainment company is looking for an on-campus rep to live and breathe EA SPORTS: |TM Do you live sports? Are you a gamer? Will you allow yourself to have fun and make money? If you comprise all three of these skills you may be selected to be the one and only EA srORTS T ‘ , Rep on your campusl Mall yaup hlBhlllMs te: Cellega Reps, c/s Vlsloiwarks 104 East Phie Street Lakeland, FL 33801 Call 841-880-1401 Or E-mail promo@vwapks.com attenttei college reps Eqaal Opportunity Employer EA SPORTS and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts in the United States and/or other countries. Need new members for your organization?? WET^JL, its about that time again... IVISC Fall Open House is Septembers, 6pm. tiibics ore on snic noun It daesn f t get any easier! Go to the MSC Box Office in Rudder Wednesday, September 1 st at 5 p.m. and pay $30 for your recognizedstufi organization or university department. We take cash, check, aggiebucks, cards, or departmental accounts (you’ll need a completed IDT). don’t fo*je.t... Space is limited! Tables are awarded on first come, first served basi* 1 only one table per organization. If you have any questions, call Michelle MSC Executive Director of Marketing at 845-1515. A&M Si agains- Sponsored By: AiSC MARKETING TEAM. - <k Persons ’witli disabilities please call 845-1 51 5 to inform us of your special need*. We request notification, three (3) -working days prb: to the event to enable ras to assist yorj to the best of out abilities- Next’ Officer ■ The WotIcsHo] nis Te. Univer Washb hattan, JThe 14-7 o) |d re “We for recognized student organizations General Session Thursday, April 29 7-8:15 p.m. Introduction to Officer Success: What Student Activities can do for you: featuring Dr. Ben Welch Rudder 601 stuact.tamu.edu Interest Sessions 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Fundraising and Advertising Rudder 601 Technology and Student Organization' Rudder 302 Building Student Organizations Rudder 308 Risk Management Issues Rudder 41 0 care of by Klei couple >t on w A&ft Wilder singles Kansas m. ficient team. No. -artin _U’ S . (jMedorc P- 66 es.ju the Wi] an ider The