Number of tiles drawn using a double 12 set: 2 players - 16 tiles each; 3 players — 15; 4 players - 14; 5 players - 12; 6 players - 11; 7 players — 10; 8 players - 9. Additional players can play by adjusting this numerical arrangement to fit. This is not critical to the game and it will balance itself as the game is played. The players then organize the tiles in their hands in a playable progression beginning with the same denomination number as the engine.
Thus, you will be ready when an opportunity arises for all or some part of that line-up to become playable somewhere as the game progresses. To begin, choose a player at random to play first and then rotate the starters clockwise thereafter. The Mexican Train must be a domino that has one end that is the same denomination as the engine in the center. The Mexican Train is begun and is played in an area out-of-the-way from the center playing area.
Spokes can be squeezed in between if more than 8 players are involved, or as needed if doubles or 18s are used. It is always wise to start the Mexican Train as soon as possible as it gives more places to play. If a player plays a double a tile with the identical denomination on both ends it is placed sideways and he must then play a second domino perpendicular onto the double or onto some other eligible train.
If he plays a double and has no playable follow-up domino to play, he must draw and if he draws a playable domino he can play it on the double or on any eligible train. After a double is played and that player has completed his turn and if he has left a double not played upon, all trains become unplayable until the next players can play onto that double.
If players cannot play a tile on the double tile, they must draw once and determine if they can play. For example, if you are playing with a set recommended for 4 to 8 players , the initial engine will be the domino.
Turn all the rest of the dominoes face down on the playing table and shuffle them thoroughly. Game sets sold commercially may have a center hub that is used as the "roundhouse" or "station" from which the trains will be built. This hub will have a fitting where the double domino is placed. If playing without this hub, simply use the double domino itself as the roundhouse.
All players simultaneously draw their dominoes without showing the other players. The number of dominoes drawn will depend on the number of players in the game. Each player then stands their dominoes on edge so that they can see the faces but their opponents cannot. The remaining dominoes are left on the table face down. This supply is known as the boneyard. To determine the beginning player, each player draws a single domino from the boneyard.
The domino with the highest spot pip total designates the beginning player. Player 1 begins play by building a string of dominoes out from the engine, beginning with a domino that has a pip count matching the engine domino. Each domino in the string must be played so the pip-counts match the exposed end of the preceding domino. If a player has no play, they must draw a domino from the bone pile.
If it matches the engine's pip count, it may be played immediately. Play now continues clockwise, with each subsequent player attempting to build a drain extending out from the engine. Players unable to start their train must draw a domino from the bone pile it may be played immediately if its pip count matches the engine domino.
In the second turn around the playing table, each player must attempt to play another domino. There are several possible plays here. A double is still on the table, unbroken. Does the game end here? Or do players forget about breaking the double and continue playing their tiles as able?
Hi Joan, so in the typical case of doubled they must be satisfied before you can play on other trains. However, in the case of a double where all other tiles of its denomination have been played to the board, the double no longer will restrict play and does not need to be satisfied.
This means you may now play on other non-satisfied doubled, or if no other doubles exist any other open train. I hope this helps answer your question.
Can a player hold a tile that is eligible to be used if it is not convenient for him? In other words is hoarding allowed? Hi Betty, you must play a tile if able to. In the game versions Ive been playing, it has the first play of the game having each player using as many of their tiles that can create their first train against the central hub. In subsequent plays only 1 tile is played. My question is we have had many times where one player is out of dominoes in the first play and then round is over.
Is this correct? Or is there a way to keep the round going? When starting your train and you end with a double, you draw a tile from the bone yard and able to satisfy the double which enables you to continue with your train, can you play your tiles or does your turn end? Hi Lloyd, if after drawing from the bone pile you can satisfy the double you may play it. Once a double is satisfied you cannot continue to play.
Outside of the double rule, you may only play one tile to your train per turn. We love this game! During the first round all players start their personal train and use as many if their dominoes as they can to make their train longer.
What happens if one of the players are unable to start their train? Do they have to draw until their able to? Or can they put their marker up so so. If its the latter then they would never be able to lay down multiple dominoes like you can in the first round, correct?
Hi Ashley, here are the relevant rules for you. This marker signifies to other players your train is open for them to play on.
Your turn has ended and the play moves on. Your next turn you may play on any available train. You can remove the marker after you are able to successfully play a tile on your personal train. If one player does not have a starter and still does not have a starter after multiple rounds plus draws from the bonepile, can the Mexican Train be started even though that player does not have a personal train started and no one has played on him to start it?
In other words can the Mexican Train be started with a player still without a personal train or must someone start them before starting the Mexican Train with their starter? My wife plays this game and loves it. Some players seem to have low scores many times and others think that maybe they are not counting all the points.
Hi Jeff, yes it is totally possible for players to count their points up in the open. There is no reason to keep scores private or their score piles private once a round is over. While I do not believe a common practice it may be useful to make sure everyone understands how scoring works.
If I do not have a domino to play on my train but can play on others do I need to declare that I do not have a match for my train and open my train up or as long as I can keep playing I play wherever I can and not open my train up to others? Hi Steve, if you have a playable tile to any train you must play it. Hi David, when you play to the train you are not playing by rank you are playing by match. So, in order to play a tile to the train one side must match the last outfacing number on the end of the train.
When I have played before on a first play the player can play all his tiles that form a line. After that only one play at a time except for a double. It seems to help move the game faster. Please settle this dispute. I say this is a legal tactic but others say this is not a legal. Hi Jim, if you play a tile to your train, you must remove the marker that shows your train is open. I hope this helps. Player A plays a double at the end of their train and can not satisfy. Player B satisfy the double do they still get to put down as many dominoes as they can for their own train since it is still their first turn?
Second question: On the first round. A plays all their dominoes. Is the game over at that point or do the following players get to put down their dominoes also.
Hi Trish, if the player is able to satisfy the double, then yes, they may continue their first turn as normal. For your second question, once a player goes out the game is over. Amber, I have played Mexican Train for over 20 years and when we started playing I read the enclosed rulebook and found it completely lacking in clarity and detail.
First off, there are so many ways to start the game. Nobody enjoyed having to accumulate a large number of tiles at the beginning of the game because they could not start their train.
Our solution, which is mentioned by some people, is to pull the 12 tiles matching the starting double and have each player take one tile, mixing the unused tiles back into the bone pile before hands are drawn. Each player then lays down as many tiles as they wish to start the round, usually saving 1 tile so they have at least one legal play. There is no 2 tile limit. In fact, this rule is not very common in my searches. No limits on the number of doubles played in a turn either. Satisfying open doubles is required only by the private trains, public trains are skipped.
If everyone ends up public, anytime anyone goes private they are required to satisfy all open doubles in order they were played. Again, just some ideas to think about.
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