My Favorite Games Now

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.

These are the Mexican Train Domino rules we learned to play that seems to best suit our younger kiddos.

Start with actual Mexican Train dominoes that go up to double 12’s. You can buy them either with dots or numbers. If counting dots is hard for someone, numbers may be easier to add at the end of the round - you can even teach them how to use a calculator. Play begins with each person selecting a preset number of tiles based on number of players. The person who has the double 12 (or next closest) starts. Next round starts with the next lower double. Going to his left, the next person starts his leg (think octopus) with the same number as the double. If he doesn’t have it, he picks from the pile and can play if it fits. Play continues around with each person playing on their leg only unless 2 other things occur.

1st - If someone, who has their leg going, cannot play a domino on their leg after they pick from the bone pile, you can play on their leg. They place a plastic train (that comes with most domino sets) on their leg so everyone knows it is open to play on. As an added treat - we use M&M’s instead of train. Then when the person whose leg is open can play on it again, they can chose to remove the train (or eat the M&M!) to close it off from other players.

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.

To win the round, be the first to play all your tiles. Everyone adds up the total number or dots on their remaining tiles. The total is their score on that round. The winner of the game is the person who has the lowest total after all rounds are completed.

So now you know our rules for Mexican Train dominoes. We love this fun and easy to follow dominos rules game and can see giving it to our friends as a great family Christmas gift!