How to Play Mexican Train Dominoes: A Comprehensive Guide

Mexican Train Dominoes is a popular and engaging domino game that’s perfect for family game nights, gatherings with friends, or even solo play. Its relatively simple rules, combined with strategic gameplay, make it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play and master Mexican Train Dominoes, from setting up the game to employing winning strategies.

## What is Mexican Train Dominoes?

Mexican Train Dominoes is a variation of dominoes that involves each player building their own personal “train” of dominoes, as well as contributing to a communal “Mexican Train.” The goal is to be the first player to play all of your dominoes. The game combines elements of luck and strategy, making it both challenging and rewarding.

## What You’ll Need

* **A Set of Double-Twelve Dominoes:** A standard set of double-twelve dominoes (with values ranging from 0-0 to 12-12) is required for the game. You can purchase domino sets specifically designed for Mexican Train, which often include a centerpiece and train markers. While a standard double-nine domino set *can* be used with fewer players (2-4), it is far less enjoyable than a double-twelve set, and some strategies simply do not work. A double-twelve set is strongly recommended for 5+ players.
* **A Centerpiece (Optional but Recommended):** A centerpiece is a decorative item placed in the center of the playing area. It serves as a starting point for the Mexican Train and often has slots to hold the “engine” dominoes. If a centerpiece is not available, a suitable spot on the table will suffice.
* **Train Markers (One per Player):** Train markers, often small plastic trains, are used to indicate whether a player’s train is public (available for other players to play on). You can also use coins or any other small, easily distinguishable items as train markers. Sometimes, no markers are used, and instead an unplayed domino is placed vertically at the end of a player’s train to indicate that it is public.
* **A Flat Playing Surface:** A table or large flat surface is necessary to spread out the dominoes and trains.
* **Scorekeeping Materials:** Paper and a pen or pencil are needed to keep track of scores.

## Setting Up the Game

1. **Determine the Number of Players:** Mexican Train Dominoes can be played with 2 to 8 players. The game is generally more enjoyable with 4 or more players.

2. **Shuffle the Dominoes:** Place all the dominoes face down on the playing surface and shuffle them thoroughly. This is often done by spreading them around the table with your hands.

3. **Draw Dominoes:** Each player draws a certain number of dominoes based on the number of players. Here’s a general guideline:

* 2-4 Players: 15 dominoes each
* 5-6 Players: 12 dominoes each
* 7-8 Players: 10 dominoes each

Players should keep their dominoes hidden from other players, either by holding them in their hand or arranging them on a domino rack.

4. **Identify the Starting Double:** The player with the highest double domino (12-12 in the first round) places it in the center of the playing area. This domino is called the “engine.” If no player has the 12-12, the players look for 11-11, then 10-10, and so on, until a player has the highest available double.

* If no one has a double, all the dominoes are re-shuffled, and the drawing process is repeated.

5. **Establish Trains:** Each player starts their own personal train emanating from the central engine domino. The first domino placed on a player’s train must match the value of the engine domino (e.g., if the engine is 12-12, the first domino on each train must be a 12).

## Playing the Game

The game is played in rounds, and each round starts with a different double domino as the engine. The first round starts with the 12-12, the second round with the 11-11, and so on, down to the 0-0.

1. **First Player’s Turn:** The player who placed the engine domino goes first. On their turn, they must try to play a domino from their hand.

2. **Playing on Your Own Train:** A player can play a domino on their own train if it matches the open end of their train. The open end is the end of the train furthest from the engine. For example, if the engine is 12-12 and the player has placed a 12-5, the open end is 5. They could play any domino that has a 5 on it.

3. **Playing on the Mexican Train:** Any player can play on the Mexican Train, which is a communal train that starts next to the engine. The Mexican Train must also start with a domino that matches the value of the engine domino. Once started, any player can add to the Mexican Train if they have a domino that matches the open end.

4. **Playing on Another Player’s Public Train:** A player can also play on another player’s train if that train is marked as “public.” A train becomes public when a player is unable to play a domino on their own train during their turn and must mark it as public (explained below).

5. **Unable to Play:** If a player cannot play a domino on their own train, the Mexican Train, or another player’s public train, they must draw a domino from the boneyard (the remaining face-down dominoes). If the drawn domino can be played immediately, the player *must* play it. If the drawn domino cannot be played, the player adds it to their hand and places a train marker on their train, indicating that it is now public. Other players can now play on that train.

6. **Doubles:** When a player plays a double domino (e.g., 6-6), they must immediately play another domino that matches the double. If they don’t have a matching domino, they must draw from the boneyard. If they still cannot play, they place a train marker on their train and their turn ends. The next player must then play on that double before playing anywhere else. Some house rules allow for multiple doubles to be played in a row, extending the penalty to the following players. However, it is most common to only allow one double to be played at a time.

7. **Ending a Round:** A round ends when one player plays all of their dominoes, or when the boneyard is empty and no one can make a play. If a player plays all their dominoes, they call out “Domino!” or “Train!” to signal the end of the round.

## Scoring

At the end of each round, players count the pips (dots) on the dominoes remaining in their hand. The sum of these pips is their score for that round. Double-blank dominoes (0-0) are typically worth 50 points. The player who went out (played all their dominoes) receives a score of zero for that round.

After all rounds have been played (from 12-12 down to 0-0), the scores from each round are totaled. The player with the lowest total score wins the game.

## Detailed Steps of a Turn

Let’s break down what a single turn looks like in more detail:

1. **Assess Your Hand:** Look at the dominoes in your hand and identify any potential plays. Consider your own train, the Mexican Train, and any public trains.

2. **Play on Your Own Train (If Possible):** Your first priority is to play on your own train if you have a matching domino. This keeps your train private and prevents other players from playing on it.

3. **Play on the Mexican Train (If Possible):** If you cannot play on your own train, consider playing on the Mexican Train. This is a good option if you want to get rid of a domino that doesn’t fit well elsewhere or if you want to block another player from playing on the Mexican Train.

4. **Play on Another Player’s Public Train (If Possible):** If you cannot play on your own train or the Mexican Train, look for opportunities to play on another player’s public train. This can help you get rid of dominoes and potentially disrupt their strategy.

5. **Handle Doubles:** If you play a double domino, immediately play another domino that matches the double. If you don’t have a matching domino, draw from the boneyard. If you still cannot play, place a train marker on your train and end your turn. Remember, the next player *must* play on this double before they can play anywhere else.

6. **Draw from the Boneyard (If Necessary):** If you cannot make any plays, draw a domino from the boneyard. If you can play the drawn domino immediately, you *must* play it. If you cannot play the drawn domino, add it to your hand and place a train marker on your train.

7. **End Your Turn:** Once you have made a play or drawn from the boneyard and placed a train marker (if necessary), your turn is over. The turn passes to the next player in a clockwise direction.

## Strategies and Tips

* **Prioritize Your Own Train:** Focus on playing dominoes on your own train whenever possible. This keeps your train private and gives you more control over your game.
* **Block Opponents:** Pay attention to the dominoes other players are playing and try to anticipate their needs. Block them by playing dominoes on the Mexican Train or on their public trains if you can.
* **Save Doubles Strategically:** Holding onto doubles can be a powerful tactic, but also a risky one. Save them for when you can play them effectively, or use them to force another player to draw from the boneyard.
* **Watch the Boneyard:** Keep an eye on the number of dominoes remaining in the boneyard. If the boneyard is getting low, it may be more difficult to recover if you are forced to draw.
* **Discard Strategically:** When you have a choice of which domino to play, consider what dominoes your opponents might need. Try to discard dominoes that are less likely to be helpful to them.
* **Consider the Score:** As the game progresses, pay attention to the scores. If you are behind, you may need to take more risks to catch up. If you are ahead, you may want to play more conservatively.
* **Know the Odds:** Understanding the distribution of dominoes can help you make informed decisions. For example, knowing that there is only one 12-12 domino can influence your strategy when playing 12s.
* **Adapt to the Situation:** Mexican Train Dominoes is a dynamic game, and the best strategy will vary depending on the specific situation. Be flexible and adapt your approach as the game unfolds.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Make Your Train Public:** While it’s generally best to keep your train private, sometimes it’s necessary to make it public to avoid drawing from the boneyard. A public train is better than accumulating a large number of dominoes in your hand.

## Variations and House Rules

Mexican Train Dominoes is a versatile game, and there are many variations and house rules that you can incorporate to customize the game to your liking. Here are a few common variations:

* **Modified Drawing Rules:** Some variations allow players to draw multiple dominoes from the boneyard if they cannot play.
* **Double-Blank Value:** The scoring value of the double-blank (0-0) domino can vary. Some players assign it a value of 25, while others assign it a value of zero.
* **Ending the Game Early:** If the scores are significantly lopsided, players may agree to end the game early.
* **Playing Multiple Doubles:** Some house rules allow a player to play multiple doubles in a row, forcing the following players to cover them all.
* **Variations in Starting Dominoes:** It is possible to play rounds counting up instead of down, beginning with the double-blank tile. Some people play several “full games” alternating the counting up and counting down format.

Always agree on any variations or house rules before starting the game.

## Conclusion

Mexican Train Dominoes is a fun and engaging game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. By following the rules and strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the game and enjoying countless hours of entertainment. So gather your friends and family, break out the dominoes, and get ready to ride the Mexican Train!