How to keep score in Mexican Train
Mexican Train is scored like golf: points are bad. Every round, you take penalty points for the tiles you're still holding, and the player with the lowest total at the end of the game wins.
- Play the round until someone plays their last tile, or until nobody can play.
- Each player adds up the pips (dots) on the tiles left in their hand. The player who went out scores 0.
- Write each player's count on the score sheet for that round.
- Start the next round with the next double down as the engine: double-12, then double-11, and so on.
- After the double-blank round, add up each column. The lowest total wins.
Example round: Maria plays her last tile and scores 0. Sam is holding 6-4 and 12-3, so he scores 25. Lee has only the 9-9, so she scores 18.
Over 13 rounds those numbers add up fast. One unlucky double-12 left in your hand costs you 24 points.
How many rounds are in Mexican Train?
You play one round for each double in the set, from the highest double down to the double-blank.
| Domino set | Rounds | First engine |
|---|---|---|
| Double-6 | 7 | 6-6 |
| Double-9 | 10 | 9-9 |
| Double-12 | 13 | 12-12 |
| Double-15 | 16 | 15-15 |
Short on time? Play fewer rounds and compare totals when you stop. Some groups also count up, starting at double-blank. The scoring works the same either way.
Common house rules for scoring
- Double-blank worth 50: many families count a double-blank left in hand as 50 points instead of 0. Type 50 into that player's box.
- Ties: if two players finish with the same lowest total, they share the win, or play one extra round to settle it.
Mexican Train dominoes rules (quick version)
Setup
Mexican Train is usually played with a double-12 set and 2 to 8 players. Place the round's engine double in the center (a train hub helps), shuffle the rest face down and deal:
| Players | Tiles each |
|---|---|
| 2 to 4 | 15 |
| 5 to 6 | 12 |
| 7 to 8 | 10 |
The leftover tiles form the boneyard.
Playing a turn
- Each player builds a personal train out from the engine. The first tile must match the engine's number.
- The Mexican Train is a public train that anyone can start or add to.
- On your turn, play one tile on your own train, on the Mexican Train, or on any train that has a marker on it.
- If you can't play, draw one tile. Play it if you can. If not, pass and put a marker on your train. Other players can then play on your train until you play on it again and take the marker off.
Doubles
When someone plays a double, it has to be covered before any other play. If the next player can't cover it, they draw. If they still can't, they pass and mark their train, and the next player tries.
Ending the round
The round ends when a player plays their last tile, or when the boneyard is empty and nobody can play. Everyone counts the pips in their hand, and those go on the score sheet.
Using this score sheet
- Add your players and pick your domino set. The sheet sets the right number of rounds.
- After each round, type in every player's pip count. Tap the domino icon to tap in tiles if counting is a pain.
- The sheet shows the engine double for the round, a running table of every score, and who's in the lead.
- Made a mistake? Use Undo or delete any round from the table.
Everything saves on your phone automatically, so a long game survives a dead screen or a refresh.
Mexican Train scoring FAQ
Is a low score good in Mexican Train?
Yes. The points are penalties for tiles left in your hand, so the player with the lowest total after the last round wins.
How many rounds are in Mexican Train?
With a double-12 set, 13 rounds: one for each double from 12-12 down to 0-0. A double-9 set gives 10 rounds and a double-15 set gives 16.
How much is the double-blank worth?
By the standard count it's worth 0, but many groups make a double-blank left in hand worth 50 points. Agree before you start.
What if there's a tie at the end?
Players tied for the lowest total share the win. If you want a single winner, play one extra round between the tied players.
Do I need to print a Mexican Train score sheet?
No. This score sheet works on any phone, adds the totals for you and saves the game as you play.