Mexican Dice Game Rules: How to Play Mexico (with a Cup)
Nov 11, 2026 · The Editors
Mexican dice game rules: the order of rolls from 2-1 'Mexico' down to 3-1, how many rolls each player gets, lives or markers, and the common house rules.
Mexico (often called the Mexican dice game) is played with two dice and a cup. Each round, players take turns rolling for the best score, and the player with the lowest score loses a life. The best roll of all, 2-1, is "Mexico". The last player with lives left wins. It is quick, easy to teach, and a classic bar game.
What you need
- Players: 2 or more, best with 4 to 8.
- Two six-sided dice and a cup to roll from.
- Something to count lives: six chips or markers each, or a score sheet. (Many groups instead play for small stakes into a pot.)
How to read a roll
Rolls are not added. The higher die is read first to make a two-digit number: a 5 and a 3 is 53, not 8 and not 35.
The order, from best to worst:
| Rank | Roll |
|---|---|
| 1 (best) | 2-1 — Mexico |
| 2–7 | Doubles, from 6-6 down to 1-1 |
| 8 onwards | Other rolls from 65, 64, 63, 62, 61, 54, 53 … down to 31 (the lowest) |
So 1-1 beats 65, because any double beats any non-double.
How to play a round
- The first player rolls up to three times, keeping only the last roll. They can stop after one or two rolls if they like the number.
- The number of rolls the first player took becomes the limit for everyone else that round. If they stopped after one roll, so must everyone.
- Going round the table, each player tries to beat the best score so far.
- The lowest score of the round loses one life. If there is a tie for lowest, the tied players roll off.
- If anyone rolls Mexico, many groups double the penalty for that round — the loser loses two lives.
The loser of a round starts the next one. When a player has lost all their lives, they are out. The last player with lives wins.
Common house rules
- Rolling blind: a player may roll under the cup and leave it covered, claiming the roll is good. Some groups let a player pass the cup on without looking; others do not allow it.
- A die off the table is re-rolled, or counts as a lost roll, depending on the group.
- Mia is a closely related bluffing game in which players hide their roll and may lie about it — the next player either believes it or calls the bluff, much like liar's dice.
Why use a cup and a tray
Rolling from a cup stops anyone setting the dice, and a tray keeps two small dice from bouncing off the table and starting an argument. A folding hexagon dice tray and a leather cup with a lid cover both. For more games with the same kit, see dice games for 2 players and Ship, Captain and Crew.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest roll in the Mexican dice game?
A 2 and a 1, called "Mexico", is the highest roll. After that come doubles, from 6-6 down to 1-1.
What is the lowest roll in Mexico?
A 3 and a 1, read as 31, is the lowest roll.
How many rolls do you get in Mexican dice?
The first player in each round rolls up to three times, and however many rolls they take becomes the limit for everyone else.
How many dice do you need to play Mexico?
Two six-sided dice, plus a cup to roll them from.
