Mexican Train Dominoes

Mexican Train is a domino game where everyone builds their own train of tiles out from a central double, a shared Mexican train runs alongside, and every double sets off a scramble to cover it. Play Mexican Train dominoes free in your browser against one, two or three computer players, with no download or sign-up, on desktop or on your phone. The lowest total at the end wins.

How to play

The game uses a double-12 set of 91 tiles. Each round starts with a double in the hub, called the engine: 12-12 in round one, 11-11 in round two, and so on down to 0-0 in round thirteen. Everyone draws 15 tiles and the rest form the boneyard. The first player moves one seat along each round.

• Your train: every player has a personal train that starts from the engine number. On your turn, play one tile whose number matches the open end of a train you’re allowed to use.
• The Mexican train: anyone can start it with a tile that matches the engine, and anyone can add to it on any turn. It’s always public.
• Open trains: if you can’t play, draw one tile. If it fits, you must play it. If it doesn’t, a marker goes on your train and it shows OPEN, so every other player may play on it. Play on your own train again and the marker comes off.
• Doubles: a double is laid crosswise and must be covered with a matching tile on the same train before anyone plays anywhere else. The player who laid it plays again to cover it. If they can’t, they draw one tile; if that doesn’t cover it either, their train is marked open and the job passes to the next player, and so on around the table.

A double needs no cover if every other tile with its number is already on the table, or if it’s the last tile in your hand.

Scoring and winning

A round ends when a player plays their last tile, or when nobody can play and the boneyard is empty. Everyone then adds up the pips left in their hand, and that number goes on their score. Blanks count zero.

After the last round, the lowest total wins. If two players tie, the one who finished more rounds on zero takes it. Choose a full 13-round game or a quick 4-round game (engines 12 down to 9).

Reading the table

Each train has its own row, with the Mexican train at the bottom. Labels show how many tiles each player holds and whether their train is OPEN. Long trains show their newest tiles; “+8” means eight earlier tiles are hidden. A double waiting for its cover glows orange.

Tap a glowing tile in your hand. If it fits only one train, it’s played straight away; otherwise tap one of the glowing trains. The Faces button switches between classic dots and large colored numbers, which are easier to read on a phone.

Strategy tips

• Dump heavy tiles early. Being caught with the 12-11 at the end of a round costs 23 points. High tiles should go first when you have a choice.
• Play a double only when you can cover it. If you hold a matching tile, a double gets two tiles out of your hand in one turn. Without one, you’ll likely end up drawing and opening your train.
• Keep your own train going. Try to end your train on a number you still hold.
• Close your train fast. Once it’s open, opponents unload their tiles on it and can steer it to a number you don’t have. Playing on it yourself takes the marker off.

FAQ

Is Mexican Train free to play here?

Yes. It’s free, with no account and no install. Your wins and best totals are saved in your browser, and so is a game in progress, so you can continue later.

How many tiles does each player get?

Fifteen each, with two, three or four players. The round’s engine double is taken out first, so the boneyard holds 60, 45 or 30 tiles.

Can I play on the Mexican train before starting my own train?

Yes. In this version, you can start or extend the Mexican train on any turn, as long as your tile matches its open end.

Does it work on a phone or Chromebook?

Yes. It works by touch, mouse or keyboard. On a keyboard, the arrow keys and Enter pick a tile, 1 to 4 choose a player’s train, M picks the Mexican train, and D draws or passes.

Want the full background? Read our guide on how to play Mexican Train dominoes. For a quicker game, try classic Dominoes against the computer, or roll the dice in Backgammon.