MEXICAN TRAIN
JIB ROOM RULES FOR DOUBLE TWELVES

 

OBJECT

To play off all your dominoes by playing them onto your own train, the Mexican Train or onto other player's marked trains.

 

STARTING THE GAME

2, 3 or 4 players draw 15 dominoes each. 5 or 6 players draw 12 dominoes each. 7 or 8 players draw 11 dominoes each. The remaining dominoes are referred to as the boneyard.

If a player has the double 12 domino, that player puts it in the center of the station and becomes the first player. If no one has the double 12, the player with the next highest double becomes the first player. A record is kept of the starting double domino. Once a double domino has been played as a starter, it is marked off the record and is not used again as a starter. If no one draws a starter, everyone draws one more domino. If it is still not drawn everyone draws again until it is. When a player has the starting domino, it MUST be played - a matter of honor. This is the only time that a domino MUST be played.

 

GENERAL RULES

A player may start by starting his own train on one of the eight "sidings" of the station, starting a Mexican Train; playing on any open train, or drawing from the boneyard.

A player may draw at any turn, and may play after the draw. If no play is made, the player must draw and place a marker on his train.

There are three ways to satisfy a double played on any train. 1. In the first round of play a double may be played and not satisfied until play returns to the first player.  2. After the first round, doubles must be satisfied, in the order placed, prior to any other plays. 3. WHEN it is determined that the double domino is the 13th domino of that denomination, that train ends. The player, whose turn it is during the determination, resumes turn and continues play.

When you play a double you must either make another play, or draw. You may make a play after drawing. If the double is your last domino, it does not need to be satisfied - the round is over. The person playing the double does not have to satisfy the double on that play. The next player must either satisfy the double or draw. If still unable to satisfy the double that player places a marker on his train, indicating that it is open, and his turn is over.

A Mexican Train may be started in any of the unused stations i.e. If there are 6 players, there may be 2 Mexican Trains. If there are eight players, start a Mexican Train off to the side.

Play always rotates to the left. At your turn, play on your own train, on the Mexican Train or on another player's open train. You may play a series of dominoes when YOU first play on your train - even if someone else has started your train.

Whenever you have no play, draw one domino from the boneyard. If you still have no play, place a marker on your train to indicate that it is open. It remains open until YOU play on your train.

Etiquette requires that a player notify others when the player has one domino left.*

 

SCORING

As soon as one player is out of dominoes, all play stops and players report the sum of their remaining dominoes(count the dots) to the scorekeeper. After an agreed number of rounds, (Usually, after all doubles have been starters) whoever has the lowest score is the winner.

*Kick A-- Version: Tap your last domino at least 3 times on table to notify other players prior to the next play. If another player announces your failure to do so before you, pick up 3 dominoes from the boneyard. Determine the adherence to this rule prior to start of play.