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Mexican Train Dominoes, sometimes referred to as simply Mexican Train, is a popular tile-based game that is played with a set of Double-6 dominoes. The game can be enjoyed by 2 to 8 players, making it an ideal choice for a gathering or a family game night. If you’re new to Mexican Train Dominoes or want to brush up on the rules, this article will guide you through the basics.
The objective of Mexican Train Dominoes is to be the first player to play all of their dominoes or have the lowest point total at the end of the game. Each player starts with a predetermined number of dominoes, which is typically 15 for a game with four or more players. The remaining dominoes are placed facedown to form the stockpile. One domino is placed face-up in the center to start the Mexican Train.
Players take turns in a clockwise direction. On your turn, you must play one of your dominoes onto your own train, the Mexican Train, or any other open train. A train is considered open if it doesn’t already have a domino placed on it. If a player is unable to make a legal play, they must draw a domino from the stockpile. If the drawn domino can be played, it must be placed; otherwise, play passes to the next player.
The basic rule for placing a domino is that it must match the number of pips (dots) on the end of the train you are placing it on. For example, if the end of a train has a 4-pip domino, you can only play another domino with 4 pips on that end. There are no restrictions on the total number of dominoes that can be played on a train, and multiple players can contribute to the same train.
The Mexican Train serves as a secondary train that any player can play on during their turn. The first domino played on the Mexican Train must match the engine (the starting domino in the center), which is typically a double. If a player is unable to play on their own train or any other open train, they can choose to start their own Mexican Train. However, the Mexican Train can only be started once per game.
A special rule in Mexican Train Dominoes is the concept of the “Public Trains.” These are additional trains that any player can play on during their turn, providing certain conditions are met. To create a Public Train, the first domino played on it must match the number of pips on any open end of the Mexican Train. Once the Public Train is started, it can be added to by any player, including the player who initially started it. Public Trains add an element of strategy to the game, as they can be used strategically to prevent opponents from playing on their own trains.
The game continues until a player has no more dominoes or there are no legal plays available. The player who has played all their dominoes is declared the winner. If no player can make a legal play, the game ends, and each player calculates the total number of pips on their remaining dominoes. The player with the lowest point total wins the game.
Mexican Train Dominoes is a fun and entertaining game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. By understanding and following the rules, you can join in on the fun and strategy of this classic tile-based game. So gather your friends and family, set up your trains, and get ready to experience the excitement of Mexican Train Dominoes.
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