How to Play Step by Step
Mexican Train Dominoes is one of the most popular domino games played today, especially in the United States. It’s easy to learn, works well for groups, and doesn’t require deep strategy to enjoy — which is exactly why it’s so popular for family game nights.
This guide explains Mexican Train Dominoes rules step by step, from setting up the game to scoring a round, so you can sit down and play with confidence.
What Is Mexican Train Dominoes?
Mexican Train is a multiplayer domino game where each player builds their own “train” of dominoes, starting from a central hub. There’s also a shared train — the Mexican Train — that anyone can play on under certain conditions.
The goal is simple:
get rid of all your dominoes before anyone else or finish with the lowest total score.
If you’re new to dominoes in general, you may want to start with the basic Dominoes Rules page before diving into this variant.
What You Need to Play
To play Mexican Train Dominoes, you’ll need:
- A Double-12 domino set (the standard for this game)
- A central hub (or makeshift center)
- One train marker per player
- Optional: a marker for the Mexican Train
If you’re unsure which set is right, see the full Domino Sets Explained guide or jump straight to the best Mexican Train domino sets for home play.
How Many Players Can Play?
Mexican Train works best with 2 to 8 players, though it can be played with more if space allows.
- 2–4 players: faster, more strategic
- 5–8 players: more social, more forgiving
Setup Instructions
- Place the central hub in the middle of the table.
- Shuffle all dominoes face down.
- Each player draws 15 dominoes (for Double-12 sets).
- Players keep their dominoes hidden.
- Find the highest double (usually double-12).
- That player starts the first round by placing the double in the hub.
If no one has the required starting double, reshuffle and redraw.
Gameplay Rules
Taking Turns
Players take turns clockwise.
On your turn, you must:
- Play one domino, or
- Draw one domino from the boneyard if you cannot play
A legal play means matching the number of pips on an open end of a train.
Your Personal Train
Each player starts with a personal train, which only they can play on — unless it becomes open.
If you cannot play and must draw, your personal train becomes open (marked with a train marker). Once open, any player may play on it until you successfully play a domino and close it again.
The Mexican Train
The Mexican Train is a shared train that:
- Anyone can play on
- Remains open for the entire game
This train gives players an extra option if they cannot play on their own train.
Playing Doubles (Important Rule)
Doubles must be handled immediately.
When you play a double:
- You must satisfy the double by playing another matching domino
- If you cannot, you must draw until you can
- If you still cannot satisfy it, the double remains open and other players must satisfy it before continuing normal play
This rule is one of the most common sources of confusion for beginners.
Ending a Round
A round ends when:
- One player uses all their dominoes, or
- The game becomes blocked and no one can play
When this happens, all players count the pips remaining in their hands.
Scoring
- Each pip left in a player’s hand counts toward their score
- The player who went out scores zero
- Lower scores are better
Games are typically played until a predetermined score is reached (often 100 or 200), or until all rounds have been completed.
For a deeper breakdown, see the full Dominoes Scoring Explained guide.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using the wrong domino set (Double-6 instead of Double-12)
- Forgetting to mark an open train
- Ignoring doubles
- Ending turns without checking the Mexican Train
Avoiding these mistakes makes the game smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.
Choosing the Right Domino Set
Mexican Train requires a Double-12 domino set, preferably with:
- Clear, readable pips
- Durable tiles
- Enough accessories for multiple players
If you’re ready to buy, see the best Mexican Train domino sets recommended for home play and group games.
Final Thoughts
Mexican Train Dominoes is popular for a reason: it’s social, flexible, and easy to pick up — even if you’ve never played dominoes before.
Once you understand the flow of personal trains, shared play, and doubles, the game becomes second nature.
If you’re curious about other ways to play, explore the full Dominoes Rules section to discover more domino game variants.