Aluminum Case
Traditional dot pips are fine for younger eyes under bright light, but aging eyes or dim kitchen table lighting make colored numerals a genuine upgrade. Up to 4 players take 15 dominoes each, 5 or 6 take 12 each, 7 or 8 take 10 each.In friendly games, players normally just place their dominoes on edge in a row facing them. Depending on the number of players, each player draws a set number of dominoes. Mexican Train Dominoes are played with a standard set of Double Twelve dominoes. Blanks typically score zero points, but each blank could be scored as 25 points, with the double blank domino scoring 50 points.
Some rules state that covering the double is optional altogether, although most rules require covering the double. Once the Bullet Train is verified, the other players finish out their private train by playing as many of their remaining dominoes as possible. During a players turn if they are able to finish out their hand by playing all of their remaining dominoes on their private train, they can declare a “Bullet Train”. Any player may start the Mexican Train by playing one domino with an end matching the engine (i.e., the double in the station hub placed at the beginning of the round); subsequent players may add to the train, as long as the domino played matches the free end of the Mexican Train.
The dots are very bright and the dominoes are professional size which is much thicker than standard dot domino sets. For players with vision challenges or for mixed-age groups under dim lighting, numeral dominoes are significantly better because they eliminate the mental step of counting pips. Double-12 is standard for most family games and supports up to eight players comfortably. The dot pips are off-white against the ivory tiles, and some buyers report that the color contrast is muted—the pips look duller than the vivid dots in the Puremco or Gonoelec sets. For the numeral readability and the low entry point, these are acceptable compromises for most casual players.
Playing doubles
For example, if the double-9 domino is the engine and the 9-6 domino is played to start the Mexican Train, the next domino to extend the Mexican Train must have one end with a 6. It is metaphorically on a siding, physically represented by disconnecting it from the station hub, in a place convenient to all players. If a player chicken train is deemed to have made a strategic error the highest score of that round is added to theirs. For example, if Player B places a domino on a public train with Player A’s marker, that does not force that train to become private for Player B; when Player A’s turn comes, after Player A makes a valid play on that public train, only then will it become private.
Chickenfoot Domino Rules
A train can be as long as the players can make it; it ends only when all dominoes that could match its endpoint have already been played. With their first move, the first player may choose to start either their “personal train” or the “Mexican Train”, using one of the “extras” that has an end matching the “engine” in the station hub. The double-blank is used for the final round; however, players may agree to play fewer rounds in a complete game, especially when sets larger than double-nine are used. In each successive round the next lower double is used until all doubles are used. At the start of each round, the dominoes are placed face-side down, shuffled, and each player draws an equal number to form their hands. Dominoes may be placed onto the player’s train, onto the Mexican train if available, or on the trains of other players under special circumstances.
Here Is Why You Should Purchase The MexicanTrainFun Double 15 Dot Domino Set:
The highest double tile is set aside before shuffling the tiles and placed to “open the station”, starting the game; e.g., with a standard double-twelve set the double twelve is separated before shuffling and placed in the center of the station hub. The tiles are professional size with jumbo color dots that are legible from across a large table—important when eight players are crowded around. Players comfortable counting pips will find the dots large and brightly colored, but anyone who needs numeric readability will need to look at the numeral-based alternatives in this guide. These rules are provided by Masters Traditional Games, an Internet shop selling quality traditional games, pub games and unusual games. As soon as this happens, even if the last tile is a Double, the game ends.The winning player scores zero; the other players score the total of the number of spots on the dominoes still left in their hands.Usually, a series of games are played and whoever has the least points at the end of the series, wins the match.
In other rule variations, during the opening phase, players may start and build their private trains by using as many dominoes as possible from their hand, radiating out from the station hub towards their seats, instead of placing a single domino. For example, under the 1994 Galt rules, in a 3-player game using the double-twelve set of 91 dominoes, the players collectively hold 45 tiles, leaving 46 tiles in the “boneyard”. The hub lacks a cutout slot for the starting domino, so players must rest the engine tile on top rather than nesting it inside. Some people play a match by starting the first game with the Double 12, the second game with the Double 11 and thence on to the final 13th game of the match that starts with the Double blank domino.Some variations do not have the special first turn and players are allowed to put down only a single tile in their first turn as for their other turns. Firstly, a special hub is used that has a slot in the middle for the starting double and 8 slots around its edge to start each domino train. In one set of rules, if no player is able to cover the double after each player has had a chance to do so, the player who placed the double is required to draw continuously from the boneyard into their hand until a covering domino is found.
Subsequent Turns
Many sets of dominoes include a station and special train-shaped tokens for markers, and packaged games with a central “station” and custom tokens are available, along with pads to help keep score. However, the game can be played without the Mexican train; such variants are generally called “private trains” or “domino trains”. The game’s most popular name comes from a special optional train that belongs to all players. Eight train markers, as well as two Chickenfoot markers and a starter train marker, are also included.
Basics
The trade-off is in the tile weight—these are lighter than the urea stone tiles in premium sets, which means they tip over more easily if the table gets bumped. The tiles measure 2.23 inches by 1 inch, slightly longer than standard, giving more surface area for the numerals. The CHH set shifts to a double-15 configuration—136 tiles instead of 91—which accommodates larger player groups and adds a layer of strategic depth for experienced domino players. For households that love the sound effects and prioritize large, readable pips over numeric text, this set delivers consistent quality. The included 50-page dual-use score pad tracks both Mexican Train and Chickenfoot games, and the instructions cover eight different domino games total. The electronic centerpiece produces both train and rooster sounds, adding a theatrical element that younger players and social groups genuinely enjoy.
Double-15 allows up to nine players with more complex strategy because higher-number tiles extend the decision tree. It includes all 91 double-12 tiles, nine colorful train markers, a train whistle hub, a score pad, and an aluminum-framed case. The Yinlo set is the entry-level contender in this lineup, priced to attract first-time buyers and casual players.
- During a players turn if they are able to finish out their hand by playing all of their remaining dominoes on their private train, they can declare a “Bullet Train”.
- Once the Bullet Train is verified, the other players finish out their private train by playing as many of their remaining dominoes as possible.
- One variation suggests that as a courtesy, a player holding only one domino should tap the table to indicate the potential end of the round in the next turn, giving the other players a chance to lower their score by playing their highest-valued domino.
- Once a double has been satisfied, players may continue to branch off of the double in two more directions, meaning the double will have a matching endpoint on all four sides, similar to Chicken Foot.
- During their turn, a player may choose to play a domino on any train currently marked public, regardless of whether it is possible to play on their own private train.BR 2
Variations
For example, in a four-player game, if Player A placed a double, and all four players were unable to cover it, then during Player A’s subsequent turn, they would be forced to draw until they can cover the double. Under this variation, a player may place multiple doubles during a single turn as long as the trains are eligible and the placement is legal; that player is required to cover only the first double played, and the next player is responsible for covering the second double, etc.; all doubles must be covered before normal play may resume. In at least one variation, each double is required to be covered by three branching dominoes before normal play can resume, i.e., three different players are required to fully cover the double.
Buyers consistently mention that the bright colors and large numerals make the game accessible for mixed-age groups and for players who previously struggled with traditional domino pips. The tiles use colored numerals instead of pips, which eliminates the “how many dots is that? The jumbo dots are colored but remain traditional pips—no numeral option exists in this set. Parents report that the wooden racks reduce the tipping accidents that frustrate younger players (ages 3–11), and the felt bottoms protect the table surface from scratches. The Gonoelec set earns the top slot because it includes eight wooden tile racks with felt bottoms—an accessory that transforms the playing experience by keeping every player’s hand organized and stable.
JOYOUSLIFE Mexican Train Dominoes with Numbers, Color Double 12
Masters Traditional Games has given below the version of the rules to Mexican Train Dominoes that we believe are the most straightforward, elegant and which minimise the chance of repetitive or tedious elements of play. Roy and Katie Parsons developed and copyrighted rules for Train in 1994, and sold production rights to Puremco, who marketed the game as Mexican Train, packaging a double twelve domino set with rules for eight games. When this variation is used, for example, a player could play a double on a public train, then “cover” it by playing another domino on their private train; the following player(s) are then responsible to play against the double on the public train.
The bright colors make it easy to see and the dots are embossed. The Double Twelve Professional Size Dominoes are very bright and a larger size than standard size dominoes. Plastic tiles are the least stable—their light weight means even a gentle table bump sends them over. Sets listing 2–8 players on the box are double-12; sets listing 2–9 are double-15. Each player needs a train marker and enough tiles for the opening draw (typically 15 tiles for a 2-player game, scaling down to 7 tiles for 8 players). Traditionalists prefer dots for the classic domino feel and because dots occupy less surface area, allowing slightly larger tiles in the same case footprint.
Once a player cannot play on the next public train, or has looped around to their own train, their turn ends. Each public train must be played on in order to continue in this manner, and only one tile per train may be played (unless a double must be finished). A player who can play on their own train may also play one tile on each subsequent public train in clockwise order. When a player who has passed finally starts their train, they may play as many dominoes as they can string together. This speeds up the game, but eliminates some of the strategies resulting from the requirement to cover doubles. Scoring is also handled in pairs, with the player who went out scoring zero for their team (even though their partner will have dominoes remaining) and other teams summing their scores for a team score.
Only the player whose marker is on a public train can turn the train private by making a valid play on that train and lifting the marker. The marker on a public train can only be removed by the marker’s owner to make it private, and there is one marker per player. During their turn, a player may choose to play a domino on any train currently marked public, regardless of whether it is possible to play on their own private train.BR 2 It is acceptable to “bend” the train 90° or 180° to keep the train on the playing surface, as long as it does not interfere with the endpoints of other trains.
- The marker on a public train can only be removed by the marker’s owner to make it private, and there is one marker per player.
- A player may not pass their turn,BR 3 as the boneyard-draw ruleBR 4 or double covering ruleBR 5 may require that player to designate their train as public.
- The tiles themselves measure a standard 2 inches by 1 inch, fitting both adult and child hands comfortably.
Gonoelec Double 12 Mexican Train Dominoes Set with Wooden Holders
If no players have a double, each player takes a turn drawing one tile from the boneyard until a double is drawn and used to “open the station”. For example, for a 3-player game using the double-twelve set of 91 dominoes, each player draws 15 tiles for their hand, under the 1994 Galt rules. The actual number drawn depends on the number of players, domino set in use, and rule variation in use. Because the station or hub usually is designed for eight spokes, the maximum number of players is eight, although additional spokes may be laid in between slots to accommodate more players, using larger domino sets. Many domino sets use color-coded pips or numerals for the values to help players select matching domino values; however, the color coding scheme may vary from set to set. A double-twelve set of dominoes is marketed as the standard for Mexican Train, and accommodates up to eight players, but there are many sets that are commonly used.
Typically, there is only one Mexican Train per round; rules vary on when it can be started (some say it can be started only after the opening turns are complete, while others are silent) or whether multiple Mexican Trains are allowed. Once each player has built these private trains as long as possible, players then start to take turns, placing one or two tiles per turn using their remaining tiles, until one player has emptied their hand, ending the round. Alternatively, in the 1994 rules written by David Galt, the player who is designated to take the first turn places their highest double in the station to start the game.
However, an earlier version of these rules states that only two doubles may be played in a single turn, and the covering domino for one of the doubles must be one already held; it may not be drawn. In other rules, the second (covering) domino may go on any eligible train instead of the double itself, but at least one set of rules restricts this only to the player who placed the double; following players must play against the double. After starting their train, players are only permitted to play one domino at a time as usual, unless playing a double. Once everyone has finished this initial private train building phase, play reverts to turns, using the rules listed above. After the starting double has been placed, during the opening phase, each player simultaneously starts and extends their private train, using as many dominoes in their hand as possible. There are a number of other versions of the rules for Mexican Train, varying the number of dominoes drawn by each player, the rules for playing doubles, or the number of tiles that can be played during one turn.
With four, six or eight players, the game can be played in teams of two, with partners sitting opposite each other. Optionally, if a player notices another player who has not announced they are holding only one domino, the latter may be forced to draw two tiles from the boneyard, if it is not empty. The round ends once one player has placed all their dominoes, or when it is not possible to play another domino and the boneyard is empty. Responsibility to cover the double continues to pass repeatedly in this manner (Players D, E, F, etc.) until one player can cover the double; multiple trains may become public due to the double covering rule.
Setup and start
At the end of each round, the player who emptied their hand receives 0 points, while each of the other players receives the sum of all pips (dots) on the dominoes remaining in their hand. One variation suggests that as a courtesy, a player holding only one domino should tap the table to indicate the potential end of the round in the next turn, giving the other players a chance to lower their score by playing their highest-valued domino. The playing of doubles and covering requirements are subject to significant variance depending on individual custom and the rules in use, so the basic rules presented here are based on a consensus reading of the different rule sets, biased toward the earliest rules, published in 1994 by Galt and Parsons and updated in 2012 by Bauguess.
The tiles themselves measure a standard 2 inches by 1 inch, fitting both adult and child hands comfortably. The 91 dominoes are made from a dense stone-like material that stands upright without wobbling, and the bright color dots are easy to distinguish even under dim game-room lighting. Wooden tile racks are the single most practical accessory—they keep hands free and tiles visible to all players. Urea stone tiles provide a dense, heavy feel that stands them upright reliably on the table.
Often, players like to angle these branches at a 45-degree angle to accommodate for more room. Once a double has been satisfied, players may continue to branch off of the double in two more directions, meaning the double will have a matching endpoint on all four sides, similar to Chicken Foot. While playing on each public train, the player may choose to play on the Mexican train or skip it when he comes to it, making the placement of the train somewhat strategical.
To designate when a train is private, the marker may either be removed altogether or moved to the station hub, depending on the rules. A player may not pass their turn,BR 3 as the boneyard-draw ruleBR 4 or double covering ruleBR 5 may require that player to designate their train as public. Each player takes a turn, mirroring the first player’s first move by playing one tile starting from the station hub in a direction that leads toward their seat. The first player then starts a private train, sometimes known as a personal train, by placing a tile that legally starts from the station by matching pip values to the engine in the station hub, in a direction leading towards their seat.