Spokes can be squeezed in between if more than 8 players are involved, or as needed if double-15s or 18s are used. Special centerpieces/hubs are available to conveniently hold the engine, the train markers, and the beginning dominoes of the “personal trains.” The number of players participating determines the number of spokes or “personal trains” coming out from the engine/centerpiece. The “personal trains” are spokes that grow outward from the engine/centerpiece and appear as spokes on a hub. The Mexican Train then grows as others play on it, but it can only be played on from the tail end, opposite the end that matches the engine’s denomination. The Mexican Train is begun and is played in an area out-of-the-way from the center playing area. The Mexican Train must be a domino that has one end that is the same denomination as the engine in the center. The Mexican Train starts at anytime with the first tile played by any player who so chooses to play a domino from his “extras”. The Mexican Train, or one’s own “personal train”, or another player’s “personal train” (when marked) are the three options for playing one’s dominoes to rid themselves of their tiles. This Mexican Train is a line of “end-matching” dominoes that can run around the edge of the table or be stacked at some side space convenient to all players. The starter player must begin by either playing a matching tile from the “line-up” in his hand onto the engine in a location that will point toward him, thereby beginning his “personal train,” or by playing one of his “extra” dominoes to be the first of the Mexican Train. To begin, choose a player at random to play first and then rotate the starters clockwise thereafter. Thus, you will be ready when an opportunity arises for all or some part of that line-up to become playable somewhere as the game progresses. If you do not draw a domino with a playable end that matches the engine tile, you can begin the line-up in your hand with any domino that will make up the longest line of end-matching tiles and the fewest “extras” possible. When you are no longer able to line up your tiles in a matching series, the leftover tiles are considered your “extras” and will be used on the “Mexican Train” or on other players’ “personal trains” during the game. The ends of the tiles in your hand must match and form a line to be ready to play onto the engine as your “personal train” after the game starts (example: 12-5, 5-7, 7-8, 8-11 and so on). The players then organize the tiles in their hands in a playable progression beginning with the same denomination number as the engine. The remaining tiles are set aside in “bone piles” to be drawn as needed in the game. This is not critical to the game and it will balance itself as the game is played. For double-9, 15 or 18 sets, adjustments can be made so that the number of tiles drawn in each player’s hand and the bone pile are reasonable. Additional players can play by adjusting this numerical arrangement to fit. Number of tiles drawn using a double 12 set: 2 players - 16 tiles each 3 players – 15 4 players - 14 5 players - 12 6 players - 11 7 players – 10 8 players - 9. Shuffle the remaining dominoes face down. Place the engine in the center of the table or in the centerpiece. This domino is called the “engine” and will be the starter domino for this game. To start, pull out the 12-12 (double-12) if playing with a double-12 set (or the 9-9 if playing with a double-9 set, 15-15 for a double-15 set, 18-18 for a double 18 set) from the deck. The other players then must total the pips or numbers remaining in their hands and keep a running total for their score. Object of the game: To rid your hand of as many dominoes as possible and to be the first to do this. Conventional dominoes with pips (dots) or Number Dominoes™ can be used.Īdditional equipment: A score sheet and one train marker per player. Adaptations can be easily made should your players/sets not exactly fit this guideline. Number of players/domino set: 2 to 4 players using a double-9 set 2 to 8 players using a double-12 set and 9-12 players, or more, using a double-15 or 18 set.
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