Mexican Train Dominoes Rules (and a Double-Six Version)
Nov 7, 2026 · The Editors
How to play Mexican Train dominoes: the hub and the engine, personal trains and the Mexican Train, markers, satisfying doubles, scoring and the 13 rounds — plus a short version for a double-six set.
Mexican Train is the domino game for a crowd: up to eight players, everybody building their own line, and a shared train anyone can use. It is designed for a double-twelve set of 91 tiles, but a short version works on an ordinary double-six set (see the end).
What you need
- A double-twelve domino set (91 tiles) for the full game.
- A hub (a centre piece with slots) — or just a clear space in the middle.
- A marker for each player — a coin or small token — and one for the Mexican Train.
- Pen and paper for scoring.
How many tiles to draw
| Players | Tiles each |
|---|---|
| 2–4 | 15 |
| 5–6 | 12 |
| 7–8 | 10 |
Some groups draw a little fewer. The rest stay face down in the boneyard.
The engine
The game has 13 rounds. The first round starts with the double-twelve in the centre as the engine. The next round starts with the double-eleven, then the double-ten, and so on down to the double-blank.
Your train
Each player builds a personal train — a line of tiles running out from the engine towards them. The first tile must match the engine: in round one, a tile with a 12.
The Mexican Train
A public train, which anyone can start and play on. It also begins from the engine.
A turn
On your turn, play one tile:
- on your own train,
- on the Mexican Train, or
- on any other player's train that has a marker on it.
If you cannot play, draw one tile. If that tile plays, play it. If not, put your marker on your train — it is now open to everyone. Remove the marker when you next play on your own train.
Doubles
When you play a double, place it crossways and play again — another tile, anywhere legal. The double must then be satisfied: the next tile played on that train must match it. Until it is, nobody may play anywhere else. Players who cannot satisfy it draw one tile, and if they still cannot, put out their marker.
Ending a round
A round ends when one player plays their last tile — or when the boneyard is empty and nobody can play. Many groups require you to tap the table or say "one tile" when you are down to one.
Scoring
Each player counts the pips on the tiles left in their hand. The double-blank often counts as 50. After 13 rounds, the lowest total wins.
Mexican Train with a double-six set
You can play a short version with a standard 28-tile double-six set and two to four players:
- Draw 5 tiles each (6 with two players).
- Play 7 rounds, starting with the double-six as the engine, down to the double-blank.
- Everything else is the same.
It is quicker and tighter — fewer tiles means the Mexican Train fills up fast — and it is a good way to learn the game before buying a bigger set.
Tips
- Plan your own train at the start of the round: lay out the longest chain you can from the engine number.
- Keep your marker off — an open train gives everyone else somewhere to dump tiles.
- Play high tiles first; they cost you most if someone goes out.
