Introduction to Mexican Dominoes

Mexican dominoes, also known as Mexican Train Dominoes, is a popular game that combines strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. Originating from Mexico, this game has gained a significant following across the globe. Unlike traditional dominoes, Mexican dominoes involve a unique set of rules and gameplay that sets it apart from its counterparts.

Game Components

Before diving into the rules, it’s essential to understand the game components. Mexican dominoes consist of a set of double six dominoes, which are double-ended tiles with numbers ranging from one to six on each end. Each player receives a hand of five tiles at the beginning of the game.

The remaining tiles are placed face down in the center of the table, forming what is known as the boneyard. Players take turns drawing tiles from the boneyard to replace any unmatched tiles in their hand. The objective is to be the first player to use all their tiles.

Setting Up the Game

Before starting the game, each player is given a train, which is a line of dominoes that starts with a single tile. The first player places a tile face up on the table, creating the beginning of the train. This tile must be placed with a matching number on the left or right side, depending on the starting number.

Subsequent players must then place a tile that matches either the number or the side of the last tile placed on the train. If a player cannot place a tile, they must draw from the boneyard. If the boneyard is empty, the player passes their turn.

Playing the Game

Here are some key rules to keep in mind while playing Mexican dominoes:

• Players must always play a tile that matches either the number or the side of the last tile placed on the train.

• When a player cannot place a tile, they must draw from the boneyard. If the boneyard is empty, they pass their turn.

• A player can only draw one tile at a time from the boneyard.

• Players cannot play a tile that would result in a train that loops back on itself.

Scoring

At the end of the game, the player with the lowest score wins. The score is calculated by adding up the pips (the dots) on the tiles that have not been played. For example, if a player has three tiles left with pips totaling 18, their score would be 18 points.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If a player has a double on their hand, they can score additional points. For instance, if a player has a double six, they can score 6 points for each unmatched tile in the other players’ hands.

Conclusion

Mexican dominoes is a fun and engaging game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. With its unique rules and strategic elements, it offers a refreshing twist on the classic domino game. Whether you’re a seasoned domino player or new to the game, Mexican dominoes is sure to provide hours of entertainment.