Mexican Train Dominos is a great game that we’ve recently been introduced to, but we found the rules in the game we bought to be a little confusing.
So I have decided to share our dominos rules of Mexican Train since it is simpler for our youngsters to learn.
The Mexican Train Dominos start at double 12’s. You can also purchase these dominos with actual numbers on them to replace the dots. This might work better if you have a young counter as you will see later on, they will need to be able to count the dots in their remaining tiles. To start - each person takes a set number of tiles (determined by the number of players) and the person who has the highest set of doubles starting with 12 begins. The next round starts with the next lower doubles. The play goes clockwise with each person starting their leg - looks like a spider - with the same number as the double or picking one tile which they can play if it is a playable. From there you play on your leg each turn with a couple of exceptions.
1st - You can play on another person’s leg if after they have picked, they cannot. You know it is open to play on because they must place a plastic train - which comes in the set - on their leg when they can’t play. Then when they are able to play on their leg again, they can remove the train. We like to use M&Ms as the train marker, then eat them when you get to remove it!
2nd - You can start a Mexican train. You do this by using a tile that has the same number as the doubles you started with and starting a leg separate from the main game. Only one person can start a train per round but anyone can play on it at anytime.
There are a few other things to mention. If someone plays a doubles tile during the round, it must be satisfied before anyone can continue playing. This is accomplished by the person who played the double first, who must play another tile on the double. If they can’t it is up to the person whose turn is next, and they must pick if they can’t play a tile out of their pile. Once someone can satisfy it, play continues as normal. Another thing to note - sometimes it takes several picks to get started. However, this all works out in the end because you do play several rounds for a complete game.
The object of each round is to be the first to get rid of all your tiles. All other players add the total dots (or numbers) on the tiles they have left. You use this number for their score. Adding the score for each round, the winner is the person at the end who has the lowest points.
Mexican Train Dominos. Easy dominos rules and a fun family game! Great for family Christmas gifts!
