Mexican Train rules: a quick guide for 2 to 8 players
Mexican Train is a dominoes game played with a double-12 set. Each player builds their own train out from a center double, and anyone can add to the shared Mexican Train. The goal is to empty your hand; after 13 rounds, the lowest score wins.
Mexican Train in 30 seconds
- Each turn, play one tile on your train, the Mexican Train, or any train with a marker.
- Can't play? Draw one. Still can't? Put your marker on your train.
- After a double, play one more tile. An uncovered double must be covered first.
- Out = 0 points. Everyone else counts their pips. Lowest total after 13 rounds wins.
What you need
- A double-12 domino set (91 tiles)
- A center hub or "station" (optional)
- One marker per player plus one for the Mexican Train. Coins or small train markers work well.
- A score sheet and pencil
| Players | Tiles each |
|---|---|
| 2 to 4 | 15 |
| 5 or 6 | 12 |
| 7 or 8 | 10 |
How to play Mexican Train, step by step
- Deal the tiles. Use a double-12 set (91 tiles). Turn the tiles face down and mix them. With 2 to 4 players each player draws 15 tiles, with 5 or 6 players 12 tiles, and with 7 or 8 players 10 tiles. The leftover tiles are the boneyard.
- Place the engine. Round 1 starts with the double-12 in the center as the engine. Round 2 uses the double-11, and so on down to the double-blank in round 13. If nobody holds the engine double, take turns drawing from the boneyard until it turns up.
- Play one tile on your turn. Play moves to the left. Play one matching tile on your own train, on the Mexican Train (a public train anyone may play on), or on another player's train if it has a marker on it.
- Draw if you can't play. Draw one tile from the boneyard and play it right away if you can. If you still can't play, put your marker on your train. Anyone may now play on it until you play on it again and take the marker off.
- Cover doubles. A double is laid crosswise, and you play one more tile after it. An uncovered double must be covered before anyone plays anywhere else. A player who can't cover it draws one tile; if it still won't fit, they put out their marker and the next player tries.
- Go out. When you're down to one tile, tap the table and say "One left!" The round ends as soon as someone plays their last tile, or when the boneyard is empty and nobody can play.
- Score the round. The player who went out scores 0. Everyone else adds up the pips on the tiles left in their hand. After 13 rounds, the lowest total wins.
Your first turn: many tables let each player lay down as many matching tiles as they can on their own train on the first turn. Others play one tile at a time from the start.
House rules to agree on before you start
- Tiles each: 15 / 12 / 10 by players, or another number
- First turn: lay a run of tiles on your own train, or one tile only
- When the Mexican Train can start: any time, or after you've started your own train
- Forgot to say "One left!": draw 2 tiles, draw 1 tile, or no penalty
- Double-blank left in hand: 0 points or 50 points
- Engine not dealt: draw in turn until found, or use the next-highest double
- Number of rounds: 13 (12-12 down to 0-0), 10 (9-9 down), or your own number
- Ties: most rounds won (zeros) wins, or share the win
Running Mexican Train for a club?
The Mexican Train Host Kit has these rules in 16 pt type, table cards, an 8-player score sheet with every engine from 12-12 to 0-0, a house-rules agreement sheet, a table rotation and a tournament bracket.
Questions people ask
How many tiles does each player get in Mexican Train?
With a double-12 set: 15 tiles each for 2 to 4 players, 12 each for 5 or 6 players, and 10 each for 7 or 8 players. Some sets suggest 11 for 7 or 8 players. Pick one and use it all game.
When can you start the Mexican Train?
Tables differ. Some let anyone start it at any time; others require you to start your own train first. Agree before the first round.
What happens when someone plays a double?
The player plays one more tile. The double must then be covered before any other play can be made, by whoever can cover it first.
How much is the double-blank worth?
It counts 0 in the basic rules, but many tables count it as 50 if it's left in your hand. Decide before you start.
How many rounds are in Mexican Train?
Thirteen, from the double-12 engine down to the double-blank. For a shorter game, start at the double-9 for 10 rounds, or stop after any round you agree on.
What if you forget to say "One left"?
That's a house rule. Common penalties are drawing one or two tiles; some tables don't penalize it at all.
From GameNightKits by Steven Zee. Printable Mexican Train score sheets and host kit: https://gamenightkits.co/clubhouse-card-games/