How to play
Mexican Train dominoes: rules, scoring and strategy
The full rules of Mexican Train dominoes, how scoring works, the house rules families argue about, and a plan for keeping your score low.
3 min read
Mexican Train
The classic dominoes game against three computer rivals: build your train from the hub, use the Mexican train, and empty your hand first.
Rivals
Length
Round1/4
Boneyard30
- AI0 pts
- AI0 pts
- AI0 pts
- AI0 pts
Hub
Mexican Train
You and three computer rivals. Play every tile you can; the lowest score after the last round wins.
| Player | Round | Total |
|---|
Your tiles
Click a tile that fits, then the train to put it on. Click it twice when only one train fits.Tap a tile that fits, then the train to put it on. Tap it twice when only one train fits.
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About Mexican Train
Mexican Train is a much-loved dominoes game for a table of players. Everyone builds their own line of tiles, called a train, out from a double in the middle, while a shared Mexican train runs alongside for anyone to use.
Here you play the traditional game with a double-12 set against 3 computer rivals, each marked AI. Shed your tiles, make the most of doubles, and keep your train closed, because the player with the fewest pips left over after the last round wins.
How to play Mexican Train
- Choose how sharp your rivals are and a quick or full match, then deal.
- Everyone gets 15 tiles. The double for the round sits in the hub, and every train must start with a tile that matches it.
- On your turn, tap a tile that fits, then the train to put it on: your own train, the Mexican train, or a rival’s train with an Open marker.
- If nothing fits, draw a tile. If it still does not fit, your turn passes and your train is marked Open for everyone until you play on it again.
- Play a double and you go again, but the double must be covered before anyone plays anywhere else.
- The round ends when someone plays their last tile. Everyone else counts the pips left in their hand.
Mexican Train controls
| Choose a tile | Tab to it, then Enter or Space |
|---|---|
| Play it on a train | Tab to the train, then Enter |
| Play on the only train it fits | Enter on the same tile again |
| Draw a tile | D |
| Put the tile back | Escape |
| Sound on or off | M |
| Choose a tile | Tap it in your hand |
|---|---|
| Play it | Tap a highlighted train, or tap the tile again |
| Draw | Draw button above your tiles |
Mexican Train rules
The set and the deal
A double-12 set has 91 tiles, every pair of numbers from 0 to 12. Each round starts from a different double in the hub, counting down from double 12. The rest are shuffled, 15 go to each of the 4 players, and the remainder form the boneyard to draw from.
Who starts moves one seat along every round.
Trains
Each player has a personal train starting from the hub, and there is one shared Mexican train that anyone may start and add to. A tile can join a train when one of its numbers matches the open end; it is turned so the matching numbers meet.
You may always play on your own train and on the Mexican train. You may play on a rival’s train only while it is open.
Drawing and open trains
If you have no tile that fits, draw one from the boneyard. If it fits, play it; if not, or if the boneyard is empty, your turn passes and your train is marked Open. It stays open until you play on it again.
Doubles
When you play a double you take another turn straight away. The double must then be covered with a matching tile before anyone plays anywhere else, by you or, if you cannot, by the next players in turn. A double played as your very last tile ends the round with no cover needed.
Scoring
The round ends when someone plays their last tile, or when the boneyard is empty and no one can play anywhere. Every player scores the pips left in their hand, and the scores add up over the match. The lowest total wins.
Quick matches have 4 rounds; Full matches have all 13, down to double blank.
Rivals
Relaxed rivals play any tile that fits. Normal rivals get rid of their highest tiles first and close their own train when it is open. Sharp rivals plan the longest train they can build, keep those tiles for it, and only play doubles they can cover.
Tips and strategy
- At the start of a round, work out the longest chain you can build on your own train and save those tiles for it.
- Play tiles that do not fit your chain on the Mexican train or open trains first.
- Get rid of high tiles early. If a rival goes out, they are what costs you most.
- Only play a double when you can cover it, or when you want to force your rivals to.
- An open train is an invitation: close yours quickly by playing on it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Mexican Train?
The shared train in the middle is traditionally called the Mexican train. The game is a family favourite in North America and is played with double-12 dominoes.
Who are the other players?
Three computer rivals, each marked AI on the scoreboard. It is a single-player game and nothing is sent over the network.
What does the Open marker mean?
That player passed because nothing fitted, so anyone may now play on their train. It closes again when they play on it.
Is my match saved?
Yes. The match in progress is kept in this browser, so you can close the page and continue later. Wins and your lowest final score are saved too.
Is Mexican Train free?
Yes. It is free to play in your browser with no account, download or payment.
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