Mexican Train dominoes
How to play Mexican Train
Mexican Train is the most popular domino game at family gatherings. It uses a double-12 set of 91 dominoes and works for two to eight players. Everyone builds their own line of dominoes, called a train, out from a central double, and there's a shared Mexican Train anyone can use.
Setup
- The first round starts with the double 12 in the center (the engine). The next round starts with double 11, then double 10, and so on down to double blank.
- Shuffle the rest face down and draw your dominoes: 15 each for two to four players. The rest are the boneyard.
Your turn
- Play one domino that matches the open end of your own train, the Mexican Train, or any other player's train that is open (marked with a train marker).
- If you can't play, draw one domino. If it fits, you may play it.
- If you still can't play, your turn ends and your train becomes open: anyone may play on it until you play on it again.
Doubles
When you play a double, you play again. A double must be covered by a matching domino before play continues anywhere else. If you can't cover it (even after drawing), the next player has to, and so on.
End of a round and scoring
The round ends when a player plays their last domino, or when the boneyard is empty and nobody can play. Everyone adds up the dots left in their hand (double blank counts 50). The lowest total after the last round wins.
Strategy
- Plan your own train. Before you play, find the longest chain of your dominoes that starts from the engine number, and keep those for your train.
- Use other trains for leftovers. Dominoes that don't fit your plan are best played on the Mexican Train or open trains.
- Play doubles when you can follow them. A double you can cover right away is a free extra turn; one you can't cover opens a door for everyone.
- Dump high dominoes early. If someone goes out, a hand full of 12s costs a lot.
Questions
How many dominoes do you draw in Mexican Train?
With a double-12 set, two to four players take 15 dominoes each, five or six players take 12, and seven or eight take 10.
What happens when you play a double in Mexican Train?
You play again right away. The double must be covered before anyone plays anywhere else; if you can't cover it, draw, and if you still can't, the next player must cover it.
When can you play on someone else's train?
Only when their train is open, which happens when they couldn't play on their turn. The Mexican Train is always open to everyone.
How is Mexican Train scored?
When a round ends, each player adds up the dots on the dominoes left in their hand. The double blank often counts 50. After all rounds, the lowest total wins.