Mexican Train Station is a multi-round domino game. The number of rounds in
a game is determined by the size of the domino set used. For example, when
a double-twelve domino set is used, a game consists of thirteen rounds. The
players begin each round by drawing a specified number of dominoes. Play
starts by calling and playing down the appropriate double domino for that
round. This domino is the "train station". Players form
"trains" of dominoes that begin with the lead domino. The length
of the trains is not limited. The first time a player plays down dominoes,
all of the dominoes in the train may be played down at once. Subsequent
turns consist of playing down dominoes to extend existing trains or to start
new trains. The draw pile is used is used when a play cannot be made, and
when penalties are imposed for failing to follow the rules. Points are
scored at the end of the each round. The total unplayed points are awarded
to the winner of the round. Players holding dominoes at the end of the
round are penalized the number of points they still hold. The game winner
has the most points at the end of the final round. Game play is enhanced by
rules that require players to make various railroad sound effects when plays
are made.
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At the beginning of each round, all of the dominoes are placed upside down
into a draw pile. The pile is scrambled.
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Each player draws a hand of dominoes and organizes them so that the other
players cannot see the dots. The number of dominoes drawn is based on the
size of the domino set being used (largest double). The following formula
is recommended:
For three or four players: Number of dominoes to draw = Set size - 1
For more than four players: Number of dominoes to draw = Set size -
Players + 3
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When all players have drawn and organized their dominoes, a call for the
starter domino is made (highest double down to the lowest).
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If no one has the round's starting domino, all players draw one more
domino. This continues until one of the players plays down the starting
domino. (All players must end up with the same number of dominoes.)
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The starter domino is played down into the center of the train station. If
no train station board is used, simply build trains off of this starter
domino in a hub and spoke fashion.
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The player who laid the starting domino in the train station takes the
first turn, and play continues around the table in a clockwise direction.
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In order to start, a player must have a domino that matches the starting
double-domino that forms the train station.
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If the player has a starting domino, he tries to build a train of dominoes
that can be played down all at once. A simple strategy is to make the
train as long as possible, leaving as few unlinked dominoes as possible.
The entire train may be played the first time a player lays down dominoes.
This is the player's "private train". Once the train is laid
down, the turn ends. (This beginning turn is the only time that an entire
train of dominoes can be played at one time.)
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If the player does not have a starting domino, one domino must be drawn
from the draw pile. If the drawn domino matches the train station number,
a train may be formed and played down immediately, but otherwise, game play
passes to the next player. Until players have played down a private train,
they must draw a domino from the draw pile at the beginning of each turn.
Trains need not consist of more than a single domino.
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After a player's private train has been built, each turn consists of one of
the following plays:
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The player may extend his private train by one domino.
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A new "public train" may be started by playing down a matching
domino next to the station domino. The player places a train car token
on the played domino. The token is a signal that indicates any player
may freely play down on the train. Train station accessories provided
with domino sets only have spaces alloted for a total of eight trains,
but the allowed number of public and private trains is not restricted.
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A single domino may be added to any pre-existing public train.
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A domino may be taken from the draw-pile. The drawn domino may be played
if possible. If the player does not play down a domino, he must place a
"signal" on the end of his train. This token indicates that
other players may play down on the private train.
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One domino may be played down on a private train that is marked with a
"signal" token. When a domino is played on a signalled private
train, the signal is removed from the private train - preventing any
player other than the owner from playing another domino down on that
train.
An exception to the "single domino" rule exists: When a
"double" domino is played down, if the player has another domino
that matches it, both dominoes may be played down together.
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When a play will deplete a players hand down to one domino, the player must
"clickety-clack" the dominoes together and then make a train
whistle sound (woo-woo) before the domino is placed on a train.
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The round ends when any player plays down his last domino.
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If the draw pile is exhausted before anyone wins, play continues until one
player wins, or until nobody can play down any more dominoes.