Mexican Train rules
Mexican Train is easy to learn. You match numbers, you build a line of tiles, and you try to get rid of your hand before everyone else. Here is the whole game.
What you need
A double-12 set – that is 91 tiles – and 2 to 8 players. Turn all tiles face down and mix them. Each player takes their tiles (see how many) and keeps them hidden. The rest is the boneyard.
The engine
Every round starts from one double in the middle of the table. We call it the engine. Round 1 uses the double 12, round 2 the double 11, and so on down to the double blank in round 13.
Your turn
- Play one tile that matches the open end of your own train, the Mexican Train, or any open train.
- Nothing fits? Draw one tile from the boneyard. If it fits, play it.
- Still nothing? Your turn ends and your train is now open.
Your train starts at the engine and grows toward you. Here, a 12 was matched with a 7, then the 7 with a 3:
The Mexican Train
This is a shared train. Anyone can start it with a tile that matches the engine, and anyone can add to it on any turn. It is often your way out when nothing fits on your own train.
Open trains
When you cannot play, your train opens – at the table people put a small marker on it. Now everyone may play on it. As soon as you add a tile to your own train again, it closes.
Doubles
A double must be covered. If you play one, play another tile on it right away. If you can't, the next players have to cover it before they do anything else. More about doubles.
End of a round
The round ends when one player plays their last tile, or when the boneyard is empty and nobody can move. Everyone else adds up the dots left in their hand. That is their score for the round.
Who wins
After 13 rounds, the player with the lowest total wins. Keep track on our free score sheet.
Questions
Can I play on the Mexican Train at any time?
Yes. The Mexican Train is open to everyone, on every turn, from the moment someone starts it.
What does it mean when a train is open?
It means the owner could not play on their turn. Until they play on their own train again, anyone can add tiles to it.
Who starts each round?
In our game the first player moves one seat to the left each round. At the table, many families let whoever holds the highest double start.
What is the blank worth?
In the standard rules a blank side counts as zero. Some families count the double blank as 50 – agree before you start.
More guides
- How many dominoes each player getsA quick table for 2 to 8 players.
- How doubles workWhat to do when someone plays a double.
- Tips to win more oftenSimple habits that lower your score.
- Printable score sheetFree sheet for 13 rounds and up to 8 players.