Victor Hugo Padilla Jimenez

What Is Mexican Train?

Easy, fast, and silly—this is the domino game the whole table can play.

Game night starts now. Grab your tiles. Pour some snacks. In just a few minutes, you can learn a game that kids, grandparents, and “I-don’t-like-rules” friends all enjoy.

Short answer: Mexican Train is a fun domino game where each player builds a “train” from a starting double, anyone can play on the shared “Mexican Train,” and the goal is to be the first to play all your tiles and end with the lowest score.

Why people love it

Easy rules. Big laughs.
Plays great with 2–8 players.
Quick rounds. Come and go.
Kids practice counting. Grown-ups plot sneaky moves.

What you need

One set of dominoes (Double-12 is classic; Double-9 for shorter games).
Train markers (coins, buttons, or paper clips).
A hub or empty space in the middle for the “station.”
Pencil and paper for scores.

Set up in one minute

Shuffle dominoes face down.
Each player draws a hand (with Double-12: 2–4 players draw 15; 5–6 draw 12; 7–8 draw 10).
Turn the highest double for the round into the “engine” (start with 12-12; next round is 11-11, then 10-10, and so on).
Put the engine in the center. That’s the station.

How to play (super simple)

Match pips: On your turn, play one tile that matches the open end of your own train, or the shared Mexican Train, or any “open” train.
Start your train: Your first tile must match the engine number. Lay tiles in a straight line from the center toward you.
Open or closed: Your train is “closed” to others unless you can’t play—then place your marker to show it’s “open.” Others may play there.
The Mexican Train: Anyone may start it once they have a tile matching the engine. Anyone may play on it at any time.
Doubles rule: If you play a double, you must “satisfy” it—play one more tile that matches it this turn (or draw and try). If you can’t, your train stays open until it’s satisfied.
Can’t play? Draw one tile. If it plays, great. If not, mark your train open and pass.
Round end: The round ends when someone plays all tiles or when no one can play.

Scoring in one glance

At round end, count pips (dots) on tiles left in your hand.
Write that number as your score for the round.
Lowest total after all rounds (12-12 down to 0-0) wins.

House rules (pick what you like)

First turn bonus: Let players lay a chain of matching tiles on their first turn.
Single draw: Only one draw per turn (common), not “draw-until-you-can-play.”
Double-satisfy chain: If a double leaves another double open, satisfy them in order.
Train markers: Any small item works—coins, candies, tiny toys.