Mexican Train
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Mexican Train is a dominoes variation.
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[edit] Objective
The object of Mexican Train is to be the first player to place all dominoes drawn at the start of a round. Dominoes may be placed onto the player's train, onto the Mexican train, or on the trains of other players under special circumstances.
[edit] Setup
Mexican Train is a domino game for 2 to 8 players usually played using a double twelve domino set. With 2-4 players, 15 dominoes each are drawn; with 5-6 players 12 dominoes each are drawn and with 7-8 players 11 dominoes each are drawn. The dominoes are placed face side down and the dominoes are then drawn. Each player also chooses a colored marker used to designate their 'public' train, and the black marker is set aside to use with the Mexican train.
[edit] Gameplay
The player with the highest double starts the play. If no one has a double, players draw in turn until one is found. This player opens the station by placing this double in the center as the engine, then starts their own train on one of the eight sidings of the station by playing a domino that has one half matching the central double domino. Each subsequent player follows suit. Any player that is unable to play must draw a domino, which may then be played if one half matches the central domino.
Swan Drive Variation: Faster play; On first tile play, player may play one tile on each PLAYABLE train; IE clockwise player plays his/her tile then if players train to left is "open", (a train or coin placed on last tile of that train), you can play one tile on that train. You may play one tile to next PLAYABLE train and so on until you end back at your train. Your play stops and the play goes to next player in rotation. That player continues playing on each PLAYABLE train in clockwise rotation until ending at his/her train.
ANAYA, a player may not play the Mexican train or any other trains until after starting their own train. There is only one Mexican train per game. Once again one half of the domino has to correspond with the central domino. The player who initiates the Mexican train only plays one domino, not a string of them as when he/she started his/her own train. If a player is unable to play a domino on their own train or on the Mexican train, they may play on any other player's train that is 'public'. If they are unable to play on anyone else's public train, or no other players have public trains, they must draw a domino. Once again they may play this newly drawn domino or, if they are unable to do so, that player's train becomes 'public'. A player's train remains public until the time that they are able to play on their own train again. Players may not play on other players' non-public or 'private' trains. A public train is designated by placing a colored marker (or button) on the first domino of the train located closest to the station.
[edit] Fast play
In order to speed up the game, the first player may continue to play off their own train on their first turn until they have no more matches in their hand. All subsequent players follow suit. Any player that is unable to play draws a domino, which then may be played when picked up if one half matches the central domino. When a player initially starts their train, they may play as many dominoes as they can string together. On subsequent turns, players are only permitted to play one domino at a time as usual, unless playing a double (refer to playing doubles).
[edit] Playing doubles
When you play a double, you place the domino perpendicular to the train, then you must make another play on that double if you can. If you cannot, draw a domino and play this on the double if possible. Otherwise you must mark your train as 'public', and play passes to the next person able to play on or 'finish' the double. If the next player is unable to finish the double, they too must draw a domino and play this on the double if possible. If not, their train likewise becomes 'public'. Play carries on in this way until the double is finished. Normal play resumes with the player whose turn follows whoever finally finished the double.
Doubles may be played on not only in line with the train, but also at angle on either side, in the form of a 'W'.
[edit] Scoring
As soon as one player is out of dominoes, play ceases. Players then add up the sum of their remaining dominoes and chart their respective scores. After an agreed number of rounds, the player with the lowest score is the winner.
[edit] Variations
There are a number of variations in rules for playing Mexican Train. Examples can be seen at the following websites:
http://www.dominorules.com/dominorulesprint.aspx?rule=7
http://www.websitelink.com/mexicantrainrules
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/download/18978/Clarified_Original_Rules.doc
http://www.pagat.com/domino/train.html
http://www.kellycline.com/mexicanTrain.shtml
http://www.pagat.com/tile/wdom/mextrain.html
[edit] Strategies
Strategies for Mexican Train are found on these websites:
http://www.websitelink.com/mexicantrainrules/#Strategies
http://home.att.net/~kbulgrien/mextrain.htm
[edit] Notable Players
- Nicholas R. Schultz, 2005 player of the year.
- Robert C. Perry, 2000 player of the year.
- Alastair Carter, 2007 grandmother player of the year.
- Paul D.J. Chafe, 2006 player of the year.
- Aaron R. Chafe, 2007 player of the year and current world record holder.
- Matthew G. Sheffield, Noted tactician and voted 'most popular player' in a worldwide poll, 2007.
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