Mexican Train is a game played with dominoes. The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from his or her hand onto one or more chains, or trains, emanating from a central hub or "station". The game's most popular name comes from a special optional train that belongs to all players.

Did Mexican train dominoes originate in Mexico?

Mexican Train comes from a Chinese Domino game called Pai Gaw. This game is played with 32 tiles.

Is Mexican Train and dominoes the same?

Mexican Train Dominoes are played with a standard set of Double Twelve dominoes. ... Unlike most other games of dominoes, Mexican Train requires some other equipment. Firstly, a special hub is used that has a slot in the middle for the starting double and 8 slots around its edge to start each domino train.

Why is the game called dominoes?

The name "domino" is probably derived from the resemblance to a kind of carnival costume worn during the Venetian Carnival, often consisting of a black-hooded robe and a white mask.

What is the first domino called?

Early sets were carved from something much different. The oldest dominoes discovered, according to domino-play.com, were found by archaeologists in China. They are carved from animal bone, usually from oxes, and believed to have been approximately made in 1120. The bone tiles are called either “Gwat Pai” or “Goo Pai.”

How to Play Mexican Train (Domino Game)

27 related questions found

Why do dominos have spinners?

Spinners are small brass rivets on the middle of the dominoes. It allows them to spin on a table, but can also damage the finish on the table.

What is the meaning of Mexican Train?

The Mexican train is an additional train that anyone may play on during their turn. They can start the train by playing a domino matching the engine (i.e. the double played at the beginning of the round) or add to the train.

Can you play Mexican Train with regular dominoes?

Conventional dominoes with pips (dots) or Number Dominoes™ can be used. Additional equipment: A score sheet and one train marker per player.

Can you play on the Mexican Train if you haven't started your own train?

If a player cannot start a train on the first turn, they can draw from the boneyard pile. If they pick the needed domino (in this case the double 12- they can immediately play it.

Is Mexican Train the same as chicken foot?

Chicken Foot Dominoes, based on the domino game Maltese Cross, appears to have originated in Texas or Mexico. It is part of the same family of games that includes Mexican Train, and is also known as Chickenfoot Dominoes, Chicken Dominoes and Chickie Dominoes.

What happens when you run out of bones in Mexican Train?

If a player is unable to play during their turn, they must draw one extra domino from the "bone pile." If they are unable to play that domino, then they must place a train marker on their personal train designating that their turn is over. Their train is now open for play by the other players.

Can you play Mexican Train Dominoes online?

Play our dominos-based Mexican Train game online for free with no ads! ... online is an online, multi-player version of the classic game enjoyed by so many that you can play in real-time. Simply sign in and start a game. Enjoy hours of free, leisurely fun!

How many dominoes are in Mexican Train double 15?

A double-15 set has 136 dominoes, with the tile numbers ranging from 0 (or blank) to 15.

What age is Mexican dominoes for?

Suitable for 2 - 8 players age 8 and over, this game is popular with domino fans and makes a wonderful gift.

Why do dominoes have a pin in the middle?

In the old days, dominoes were made of two parts (ebony and ivory) and a metal pin (the spinner) was put into the domino to hold both ends together. Our two tone set is a nod to that tradition. Today, people use the spinner to help pivot the domino.

How can you tell real ivory from Dominos?

Place one of the dominoes in your palm to feel the weight of the piece. If it feels light and insubstantial it is not ivory, as ivory is a dense and weighty material. Feel the finish on the domino to determine the texture. Any ivory domino will feel smooth and creamy with very gradually rounded corners.

What is an ace in dominoes?

Ace. The end of a tile with one pip. Arm. A row of dominoes set in a straight line in the layout of a matching or scoring game. Bid.

Can kids play Mexican Train?

We have used this set when teaching kids dominoes and found it works for kids as young as five years old. The aluminum case is very durable and stores most of the items easily.

How do you win the Mexican Train game?

Use Doubles To Your Advantage

By placing a double, you are limiting the number of dominoes that can continue the train. Since players are low on dominoes near the end of the game, this makes it hard for other players to finish that particular train. In other words, hold those double dominoes until the end!

What happens in dominoes when nobody can play?

If no one is able to make a play, the game ends. ... In this case, a player draws the number of tiles he is permitted to take according to the rules of that game, adding them to the tiles he is holding in his hand. Once the player has drawn a tile he is able to play, he plays that domino.

How do you play 3 tiles?

In the game, you need to match 3 numbers of tiles - for example, avocado tiles, guitar, ice cream, sausage, and many other tiles. When all tiles are matched, you can pass the current level! - Just tap to place the tiles into the stack. Three similar tiles will be matched.

What happens if you run out of tiles in dominoes?

The winner is the player who has no tiles left or, if no player managed to go out, the players add up the spots on their remaining dominoes and the winner is the player with the smallest total.