Mexican Train

Overview

Mexican Train is a domino game where players try to be the first to play all their dominoes by building personal trains (lines of dominoes) from a central hub. A shared “Mexican Train” is available for all players. The game is played over multiple rounds, starting from the highest double domino down to the lowest. The player with the lowest cumulative pip score across all rounds wins.

Components

• 91 double-twelve domino tiles (or double-nine set for fewer players)
• 8 train markers (one per player)
• 1 center hub piece

Setup

1. Place the hub in the center of the table.
2. Shuffle all dominoes face down.
3. Each player draws dominoes based on player count:
   • 2-4 players: 15 dominoes each
   • 5-6 players: 12 dominoes each
   • 7-8 players: 10 dominoes each
4. The remaining dominoes form the boneyard (draw pile).
5. Find the highest double (double-12 in the first round). The player holding it places it in the hub. If no one has it, each player draws from the boneyard until it is found.

Turn Structure

Play proceeds clockwise. On your turn:

1. Play one domino from your hand onto an eligible train.
2. If you cannot play, draw one domino from the boneyard.
3. If the drawn domino can be played, play it immediately. If not, place your train marker on your personal train (marking it “open”).
4. If you play a double, you must play a second domino immediately (on any eligible train). If you cannot, draw from the boneyard. If still unable, place your marker on your train.

Actions

Building Trains

• Personal train: Each player builds their own train extending from the hub. The first domino must match the hub double. Subsequent dominoes must match the exposed end.
• Mexican Train: Any player may play on the shared Mexican Train on their turn. The first domino must match the hub double.
• Opponents’ open trains: If another player’s train marker is on their train, you may play on it.

Playing Dominoes

• A domino must match the open end of the train you play on.
• You may only play on: your own personal train, the Mexican Train, or any train with a marker on it.
• When you successfully play on your own train and your marker is on it, remove the marker.

Doubles

• Playing a double requires you to immediately play a second domino (a “satisfying” play).
• If you cannot satisfy the double from your hand, draw from the boneyard.
• If the drawn domino can satisfy the double, play it. Otherwise, mark your train open.
• An unsatisfied double must be satisfied by the next player(s) before any other play is made.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

A round ends when one player plays their last domino (scoring 0 for that round) or when no player can make a legal play.

All other players count the total number of pips on their remaining dominoes. A double-zero counts as 50 points (in some variants).

Play subsequent rounds starting with the next-lower double (double-11, then double-10, etc.). The game ends after the double-zero round.

Winner: The player with the lowest cumulative pip score across all rounds.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• If the starting double is not in any player’s hand, players take turns drawing from the boneyard until it is found.
• A player who empties the boneyard and cannot play simply marks their train open.
• If no player can play and the boneyard is empty, the round ends.
• Some variants allow playing on any marked train even on the first turn.
• Train markers are removed when you successfully play on your own marked train.
• Only one domino may be played per turn (except when satisfying a double).

Player Reference

Turn: Play 1 domino on eligible train -> If can’t, draw 1 from boneyard -> If still can’t, mark train open

Eligible trains: Your personal train, Mexican Train, any marked (open) train

Doubles: Must immediately play a second domino to “satisfy” the double

Round end: First player out scores 0; others count pips

Game end: After all double rounds played; lowest cumulative score wins