How to Play Mexican Train

Master the rules, learn our unique features, and become a domino champion. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, here's everything you need to know.

The Goal

The objective of Mexican Train is to be the first player to play all the dominoes from your hand onto one of the available trains.

Winning

Be the first to empty your hand! If the game blocks, the player with the fewest points (dots) left wins.

The Trains

Play on your Private Train, the public Mexican Train, or any opponent's Open Train.

The Setup

The highest double (e.g. 12-12) starts in the center mechanism (the Hub). Trains build out from there.

Rules of Play

1. Legal Moves

A move is legal if the end of your domino matches the 'open' end of the train you are playing on.

  • Matching Pips: Matching Pips: If a train ends in a 6, you must play a domino with a 6 on one end.
  • Any Train: Any Train: You can always play on your own train or the Mexican Train (started with a matching domino).
  • Opponent Trains: Opponent Trains: You can only play on an opponent's train if it has a marker (Little Engine) on it.
Matching Example
Matching the 6 to the 6.

2. Your Turn

Can you play?

If you have a domino that matches an available train, play it! You successfully end your turn.

Cannot play?

You must draw one tile from the boneyard. If that new tile is playable, you can play it immediately.

Still stuck?

If you still can't play after drawing, you must pass. A marker is placed on your train, making it public for everyone to use (until you play on it again!).

!
XXX

Playing a double (12-12) forces YOU to play again. If you can't, your train opens up!

3. The Double Rule

Doubles are powerful but risky!

  • Covering: Covering: If you play a double (12-12), you must immediately 'cover' it by playing a second matching domino (e.g. 12-5).
  • Obligatory Play: Obligatory Play: If you cannot cover your double after drawing, the double remains 'open'. The next player is then forced to cover it before they can play anywhere else.

Exclusive Features

Our version adds some spicy twists to the classic rules!

The "Professionall"

When an opponent leaves a double open, and YOU swoop in to cover it for them... that's a Professionall move. Absolute dominion.

Style Points

The "Boo"

Closing your own double right away is efficient... but boring! Do this and expect a chorus of 'Boo\'s' from the spectators.

Villain Arc

Punishments

At the end of a round, the loser draws a hidden Fate Card. The winner reveals it. What happens next? You'll have to play to find out.

High Stakes

Start Playing

Create a Room

  1. 1Enter your username on the home page.
  2. 2Click 'Create New Game'.
  3. 3Share the Room Code with friends.
  4. 4Wait for everyone to join and click Start!

Invite Friends

Just copy the URL from your lobby and send it to your friends. They'll join your game automatically!

Create Game Now