Learn How to Play Mexican Train Dominos

Understanding the Basics of Mexican Train Dominos

Mexican Train Dominos is a tile-based game that combines strategy, luck, and social interaction. Unlike traditional domino games where players compete individually, Mexican Train involves all players contributing to shared trains on the table. The game became popular in North America during the 1990s and has remained a favorite at family gatherings and game nights ever since.

The game uses a double-twelve domino set, which contains 91 dominos. Each domino has two ends marked with dots called pips, ranging from zero (blank) to twelve pips. The double-twelve set is necessary because the game requires more tiles than a standard double-six set (28 tiles) would provide. Players draw from a central boneyard—the pile of remaining dominos—throughout the game.

The objective differs from many domino games because players aren't trying to block opponents. Instead, the goal is to be the first player to play all their dominos onto the table. Points are calculated based on the pips remaining in other players' hands after each round, making it possible for players to catch up even if they're behind in earlier rounds.

The game gets its distinctive name from the "Mexican Train," which is a communal line of dominos that any player can add to during their turn. This feature makes Mexican Train more inclusive than games where players can become locked out if they cannot make a legal play. In traditional domino games, a player might be stuck unable to play, but in Mexican Train, the communal train offers an alternative option.

Practical Takeaway: Before your first game, familiarize yourself with what a double-twelve domino set looks like and understand that the game rotates through multiple rounds. Each round uses a different starting domino (called the engine), which changes the strategic landscape.

Setting Up Your Game and Understanding Game Structure

Setting up Mexican Train Dominos correctly ensures smooth gameplay. Begin by gathering all 91 dominos from the double-twelve set and shuffling them face-down on the table. Each player then draws dominos to determine who plays first—the player who draws the highest domino becomes the first player. After determining the starting player, return all dominos to the table and shuffle them again.

The number of dominos each player draws depends on the number of players. With 2 to 4 players, each draws 12 dominos. With 5 to 6 players, each draws 11 dominos. With 7 to 8 players, each draws 10 dominos. This variation ensures that enough dominos remain in the boneyard for draws throughout the game. After players draw their starting hands, the remaining dominos form the boneyard in the center of the table.

In the first round, the starting player places the double-twelve domino (also called the engine) on the table. This domino serves as the foundation for all trains in that round. The player who places the engine also starts their personal train with this domino. Each subsequent player either adds to the engine, to their own train, or to the Mexican Train if they cannot play elsewhere.

A complete Mexican Train Dominos game typically consists of multiple rounds. Standard play includes rounds using the double-twelve, double-eleven, double-ten, double-nine, double-eight, double-seven, double-six, and double-five as engines. Some players continue with lower doubles if they wish. Each round uses a different engine, which changes which dominos are available and how the board develops strategically.

Practical Takeaway: Create a clear play area with enough space for all player trains and the Mexican Train. Use a pen and paper to track scores after each round, as this helps players monitor their progress and understand how remaining pips affect their final tally.

Learning the Rules of Play and Legal Moves

During their turn, a player must play one domino to either their personal train, the Mexican Train, or the engine (if it remains open). A valid play requires matching one end of the domino being played to the open end of the train it's being added to. For example, if a train's open end shows a five, you may only play a domino with a five on one end.

Players have three train options during most turns. The personal train belongs exclusively to that player, and only that player can add to it (except in specific circumstances). The Mexican Train is communal, and any player can add to it on their turn if they cannot play on the engine or their personal train. The engine remains available for play as long as no one has played a second domino to any train—once someone does, the engine closes except for specific situations.

If a player places a double domino (a domino with the same number of pips on both ends), they must play another domino if possible. This additional domino should be played to the open end of the double. If a player cannot play a second domino after playing a double, they place a marker on their train to indicate it is "open." An open train can be played on by any other player on their turn, turning it into a communal train temporarily.

When a player cannot make a valid play, they must draw from the boneyard. Players draw one domino at a time until they can make a legal play or until the boneyard is empty. If the boneyard is exhausted and a player still cannot play, their turn ends and their train becomes open (if it isn't already). Play then passes to the next player in clockwise order.

Practical Takeaway: Remember that dominos can only be added to the open ends of trains, not the middle sections. Keeping track of which train ends are open helps you plan multiple moves ahead and reduces hesitation during your turn.

Scoring and Calculating Points Between Rounds

Scoring in Mexican Train Dominos occurs after each round ends, which happens when one player successfully plays all the dominos from their hand. At that point, the round concludes immediately, and no further plays are made. The player who emptied their hand scores zero points for that round. All other players count the total number of pips on the remaining dominos in their hands.

The scoring system rewards players for playing dominos efficiently. If a player has two dominos remaining with 8 pips and 7 pips respectively, they score 15 points for that round. A player with five dominos totaling 43 pips scores 43 points. Over multiple rounds, these scores accumulate. The player with the lowest total score at the end of all rounds wins the game.

For example, consider a 3-player game. In Round 1, Player A goes out first and scores 0 points, Player B has 28 pips remaining and scores 28 points, and Player C has 35 pips remaining and scores 35 points. After Round 2, Player A scores 42 points, Player B scores 0 points, and Player C scores 31 points. The cumulative scores become Player A: 42, Player B: 28, and Player C: 66. This shows how scores can fluctuate based on each round's outcome.

Some variations track scores differently. In railway-themed scoring, players might earn bonuses for specific achievements or play patterns. However, the standard scoring method using pip counting is most common and works well for casual play. Players should decide before starting which scoring method they'll use and apply it consistently throughout all rounds.

Practical Takeaway: Keep a running tally of scores on paper after each round. This helps players understand their position in the game and adjust their strategy accordingly. Some players take photographs of the final board position before clearing it, which helps verify scores if questions arise.

Developing Strategy and Improving Your Gameplay

Strategic thinking in Mexican Train Dominos involves planning ahead while adapting to changing circumstances. One fundamental strategy concerns double dominos. Since doubles require you to play a second domino or mark your train as open, experienced players often save doubles for moments when they have multiple options available. Playing a double when you have no follow-up creates unnecessary risk by opening your train to other players.

Board awareness is another critical skill. Observing which dominos other players have played helps you understand what pips remain in the boneyard and what dominos your opponents might hold. If several dominos with five pips have been played, fewer remain in circulation. This information influences decisions about which dominos to hold and when to draw.

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