Mexican train is a domino game that will provide an evening of fun for your entire family. The game is played with double dominos that run from double blank to double twelve. There are many versions of gameplay, but in my opinion, this one is the easiest to understand. The basic game instructions follow.
Goal of Game
Each round: To play all of your dominos before the other players.
At end of game: To have the lowest score
Basic Mexican Train Information
Each player’s dominoes form a path called a “train” from the game’s center “hub”. The train grows outward from a slot on the center hub on the table, similar to spokes in a wheel. There is a slot for eight players, and if there are less than eight players one slot is used for a “wild” player whose train is called the “Mexican Train”. There are thirteen rounds, double twelve to double blank.
Game Setup
-Pick a scorekeeper
-Place the game centerpiece on the table
-Turn all dominos face down and scramble
-Give everyone a colored train piece which will be used to mark their train open during play
-Each player draws the number of dominos according to the number of players
-Undrawn dominos are left in the boneyard for future draws
Mexican Train Initial Play
The game starts with the double twelve domino, so whoever has it, plays it in the center slot, if no one has the twelve each player draws until it can be played. The player who played the center domino plays off the domino (twelve) to start their train. If they do not have a play, they draw. If the drawn domino does not play, they mark their train open with the colored train piece.The play moves clockwise and each player repeats the play starting their own train until play reaches the first player again.
Subsequent Mexican Train Plays
The play continues and, once each player has started their train, they can 1) Play on their own train or 2) Start the “Mexican” train in one of the empty slots by playing off the center domino, or 3) Play on another player’s train if open (colored train up).
If they can not make any of these plays, they draw, and play or pass. Play continues until one player has played all their dominoes. That player wins the round and his score is worth zero. The value of the other players dominoes is their score. End of round one.
Future round(s):
The next round starts with the double from the next number. (Double Twelve, then Eleven, Ten, etc) Whoever plays the center domino starts the first train, etc, until one player is out. Points for each player are tallied each round. The game continues right down to the double blank round. Points from all rounds are tallied and the lowest score wins!
Special Mexican Train Rules and Plays
Rules for the Colored Train: The colored train piece stays on the player’s train until they can make a play. During that time anyone can play on the player’s train, IF they have already started their own train. Once the player has a play, the train piece comes off and the train is no longer open to other players
Rules For Mexican Train : There can only be one Mexican train and the Mexican Train can not be started until everyone has started theirs. Once started, any player can play on it.
Helping Other Players Get Started: Any player can start another players train at any time.
Doubles: When a player plays a double, they must play a domino off the double. If they cannot, they draw and either play or pass. No player can play on their train until someone has played on the double. So, each player will either play or draw and pass until the double is played on.
Long Trains: When the trains threaten to run off the table, just turn the train’s destination back toward the center!
Mexican Train Hints
-Once the dominoes are drawn, it is helpful to line up the domino plays for your train.
-If one player is almost out, playing a double may cause him to have to draw dominoes
-Play on the Mexican Train or other players train before playing on your train. (Don’t break up your plays however)
-Try not to get stuck with the big value dominoes at the end of each round.
Now Play Mexican Train Online!
For online game players there is an online version of the Mexican Train Domino game on Fupa.comFupa.com. The play online is not circular and there are a few differences, but it is fun and will give new players a taste for gameplay.
If you have never played this game, it is highly recommended! It will NOT be one of those games that gathers dust toward the back of your bookcase!
