How to score Mexican Train

How the scoring works, hand by hand

Mexican Train is scored at the end of each round. Play the whole round, then say who went out and enter what everyone else was holding.

There’s nothing to tap during play — just come back when the round finishes.

What you need

A set of dominoes — usually double-12 for a big group, or double-9 for two to four people.

A marker for each player: a coin, a bean, a poker chip. Anything small.

Everyone plays for themselves. No partners.

The big idea

Points are BAD in this game. You’re trying to end up with as few as possible.

Each round starts with one domino in the middle — the “engine.” Everyone builds their own line of dominoes, their “train,” leading out from it.

The first person to play their last domino ends the round. Everyone else is stuck with whatever is still in their hand.

Taking your turn

On your turn you add one domino, matching numbers end to end.

You can play on your own train, on the Mexican Train in the middle that everybody shares, or on someone else’s train if it has a marker on it.

If you can’t play, draw one domino and try again. Still stuck? Put your marker on your own train — now anyone can play on it until you come back.

Doubles stop everything

Play a double and you must play a second domino straight away, anywhere on the table.

Until somebody covers that double, nobody may play anywhere else. Cover it first, then carry on.

Ending a round

When someone is down to one domino they tap it on the table, so everyone knows to dump their heaviest tiles.

The round ends when someone plays their last domino — or when nobody can play at all.

Then everyone counts the dots left in their hand. The person who went out scores nothing. Everyone else scores what they’re holding.

How the game ends

The next round starts with the next double down: 12-12, then 11-11, then 10-10, all the way to 0-0.

With a double-12 set that’s thirteen rounds. With a double-9 set it’s ten.

When the last round is done, the LOWEST total wins. In this app the crown always sits on the smallest number.

How you’ll score in the app

After each round, tap “New round,” say who went out, and type in the dots everyone else is holding.

The app keeps the running totals and tells you which engine is up next.

Words you will hear at the table

If it is your first time

• Remember: low is good. Getting rid of your heaviest dominoes early matters more than going out fast.
• Start the Mexican Train as soon as you can. It gives everyone another place to play — including you.
• When someone taps their last domino, dump your biggest tile if you possibly can.