Up to 6 players take 12 dominoes each, 7 or 8 players take 10 each, and 9 or 10 players take 8 each. [3] X Research source
The player who has the double-twelve (the train station) begins the first round by placing it in the center of the table. If no one has the double, players draw one domino at a time, in clockwise fashion, from the bone-yard until the double-twelve (the train station) is found.
Make the longest train possible with the dominoes in your hand. This is done in front of you with the dominoes on edge so your opponent(s) can’t see what you have. Keep all your starter dominoes (train engines) separate (as you use these only to start your train or a Mexican train). Keep your “loose” dominoes (those that wouldn’t fit into your personal train) handy to add to a Mexican train if and when possible. Fit in any doubles into your personal train as early as possible. For instance if you have the following train: 12-12, 12-5, 5-0, 0-1, 1-3 and then you notice that you also have the double-1: Place this double-1 domino in between the 0-1 and the 1-3 dominoes (double dominoes are special during play).
If any player is unable to start their train - having no (engine) domino that matches the center double - they draw from the bone-yard, hoping that they pull a domino with a 12 on one end, in which case they will play it as normal, and the next player will take their turn. Any player without a train must continue to pick up dominoes until he either draws a domino with a 12 (engine) or can place a domino on a Mexican train that another opponent has started. [5] X Research source No player is allowed to play on another player’s train, nor to start the “Mexican train,” during their first turn. The first domino you place, after the starting double (train station) is your personal train.
If a player cannot either lay a domino on his own train, or play a domino on a Mexican train, or play a domino on an opponent’s train, he must draw a domino. If he cannot play this domino, he states this out loud and it is the next person’s turn. If he can play it, he does so and it is the next person’s turn. If he was not able play his drawn domino on his own train, he must top the first domino of his train (his engine) with a marker; this lets all other players know that his train can now be played on (just like a Mexican train). Splay a third domino, which again may go anywhere - on the first or second double you played or elsewhere, and may be a third double - and so on. Your turn ends after you play one domino that is not a double or, being unable to do so, you pass and place your penny on your train. The only exception to this is that if your very last domino is a double you may go out (finish the game) with it. In that case, the game ends immediately and penalty points are tallied. You are the winner of this round, as you will have zero points. If a double is played, and the player leaves a train ending in a double, then after the end of that player’s turn the next domino played by the next player must be played on that double. The duty of satisfying the double falls first on the next player after the person who played the double. If they can satisfy the double, they must do so - even though it may be on a personal train. If they cannot satisfy the double from their hand, they draw a tile and if that does not match the double either, they pass and place a penny on their own train; the duty of satisfying the double then passes to the following player in turn. If a player leaves several doubles unsatisfied at the end of a turn, each of the exposed doubles must be satisfied by subsequent players in the order that they were played.
You can take this game with you when you are babysitting. It will help you to keep the kids engaged. Parents will be impressed that you have come well-prepared for your job.
