Mexican Train is a popular domino game known for its fast-paced gameplay and strategic elements. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of How To Play Mexican Train, covering everything from equipment setup to scoring and variations.
Getting Started with Mexican Train
Mexican Train requires a standard set of double-twelve dominoes (91 tiles). Dominoes with colored spots are recommended for easier matching. Beyond the dominoes, you’ll need:
- A Hub: This circular piece has a center slot for the starting double domino and slots around the edge for each player’s train. You can purchase a hub or create a simple one from cardboard.
- Markers: These are used to indicate open trains. Coins (like pennies) or specialized train markers often come with Mexican Train sets.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into Mexican Train, let’s review basic domino principles:
- Matching: Dominoes are placed end-to-end, matching the number of pips (dots) on adjacent tiles.
- Doubles: A double domino has the same number of pips on both ends. Doubles are placed perpendicular to the train, forming a “T” shape. Subsequent tiles must be played off the double, also perpendicularly.
Setting Up the Game
- Shuffle: Place all dominoes face down and shuffle thoroughly.
- Deal: The number of dominoes dealt depends on the number of players:
- Up to 4 players: 15 dominoes each
- 5-6 players: 12 dominoes each
- 7-8 players: 10 dominoes each
- The Boneyard: Remaining dominoes form the boneyard, placed face down.
- The Hub: Place the hub in the center of the table. Each player chooses a slot on the hub’s edge for their personal train. One slot is designated for the Mexican Train, marked with a marker.
- Starting Double: The player with the highest double places it in the center of the hub.
Gameplay: The First Turn
The player to the left of the person who played the starting double goes first.
- Starting Your Train: Place a domino from your hand into your designated hub slot, ensuring it matches the center double.
- Extending Your Train: Continue playing dominoes from your hand onto your train until you cannot play further.
Gameplay: Subsequent Turns
On subsequent turns, players can play only one domino per turn.
- Play a Domino: If you can play a domino onto an available train (your own, the Mexican Train, or another player’s marked train), do so.
- Draw from the Boneyard: If you cannot play, draw a domino from the boneyard. If you can now play, do so.
- Mark Your Train: If you still cannot play after drawing, place a marker on the end of your train, making it open for other players to use.
Important Notes:
- Removing Markers: When you play a domino on your own train, remove your marker if present.
- Doubles Rule: Playing a double grants you another immediate turn.
Winning the Game
The first player to play all dominoes from their hand wins the round. The winner scores zero points. Other players count the pips on their remaining dominoes, adding them to their score. Multiple rounds are typically played, with the lowest cumulative score winning the game.
Special Situations and Variations
- No Starting Double: If no one has a double, players draw from the boneyard until one is found.
- Full Hub: With eight players, the Mexican Train starts separately from the hub.
- Empty Boneyard: If you cannot play and the boneyard is empty, you must pass your turn and mark your train.
Advanced Variations: Doubles Rules
Experienced players often incorporate variations involving doubles:
- Satisfying Doubles: A double at the end of any train must be played on in the next turn, even if it’s on an unmarked train. If you can’t play on the double, you must mark your train.
- Multiple Doubles: If a player plays multiple doubles in a single turn, some variations require subsequent players to satisfy each double in reverse order.
This comprehensive guide provides a solid foundation for playing Mexican Train. Enjoy the game!
