Who doesn't know dominoes — a game that has united entire generations and countries, multiplying even their cultural traditions? We're going to tell you about one of its most interesting types — Mexican dominoes, also known as the “Mexican train”.

1. History and origin

Classic dominoes have a long history. Its roots go back to the distant XII century in China, where many believe it appeared. But this is not a fact! In the XIII-XIV centuries, having immigrated to Europe, it was especially loved by Italians, but… What we see today is the fruit of its “rebranding” in France and Britain.

Mexican dominoes emerged much later, in the middle of the twentieth century, in the United States. The colorful, Latin American mentality played an important role here, as they were “adapted” for play by large companies. In a very short period of time, they won hearts and became one of the most favorite games.

2. Rules of the game

Classic dominoes is a game in which participants place chips in such a way as to form a kind of “chain”. The goal of the game is clear even to babies - to be the first to get rid of all your chips. A player can move only when one half of his tile matches the value at the end of the chain. If you have nothing to move with, you have to take a domino from the reserve (bank). The game ends when one of the players wins or when there are no more moves, and the points on the tiles remaining in the hands are calculated.

Mexican begins with the placement of the central domino. From there, each player creates their own “train” where they can place tiles according to the rules of matching numbers. One of the trains is called the “Mexican” train — it is open to all participants. The game continues until one of the players gets rid of all the dominoes or until the reserve is empty.
Number of players and chips

As you may recall, the classic interpretation of the game involves a maximum of four players. This is because of the limited set of dominoes — 28 pieces from 0 to 6. Naturally, this approach led to a strong game limit and predictability of moves and the outcome of the entire game.

Mexican dominoes are designed for larger companies: up to eight people can play it. The set contains 91 tiles with numbers up to 12. The result is an increase in all kinds of combinations and the ability to make the game longer, and therefore much more interesting.

3. Strategies and tactical features

In classic dominoes, strategy is the essence of everything! It is the most important element of the game. All the nuances are important: analyzing your tiles, moves, and possible actions of the “enemy” to block his move. A good memory becomes an important criterion, as you need to memorize the values of the dominoes you place. All of this requires one thing: the ability to foresee all possible and impossible scenarios and their outcomes. Of course, all this creates enormous difficulties for the opponent. This is the highlight of all the elegance of classical strategy — minimum chaos, maximum control.

Mexican expands the tactical possibilities, adding more interactivity to the game. Each move is a lot of opportunities: put tiles on your own train, expand the “Mexican” train, or find another profitable combination. Thanks to this innovation in the game. The beauty of this game is that you can close your trains with special dominoes, which, in turn, greatly limits the opponent's options. You hide your strategy and what decision you are going to implement, because each train can be both a strong trump card and a weak point.
Mexican dominoes is like a roller coaster: continuous unexpected turns. One move of the opponent can leave no stone unturned from your plans. This adds to the game's dynamics and keeps the intrigue to the last domino.

4. Game duration

Classic dominoes are a great choice for those who prefer short but thoughtful games. 15 to 30 minutes of maximum fun. It all depends on the number of players and their skills. This compactness makes it a convenient choice for a cozy vacation or a quick one in between business.

Mexican dominoes, due to the more complex structure of the game, takes more time. If you play in a large company, the game can last for several hours. However, the dynamics, variety of moves, and constant interaction between participants make even a long game exciting.

5. Advantages and disadvantages

The simplicity and understanding of the classic version remains undeniable. Together with accessibility, these are the main features that attract millions of players. It is doomed to success because it is easy to understand even for children and has become a favorite pastime of small companies. But in large companies, it seems less interesting because it has a predictable ending due to the limited number of tiles and strategies.

Mexican, on the contrary, easily compensates for these shortcomings by providing wider opportunities. Many of players, several simultaneous trains, and tactical diversity are what create a rich and dynamic gameplay. This is an ideal way to spend an evening in a large company to fight for leadership in the game, showing off your wit and extraordinary strategy. But... Some newcomers are frightened by the rules that seem complicated to them, while others are not attracted by its duration. But what remains unchanged is the unique charm of both variants of the game, which will definitely find their fans. 

6. How to choose a game for yourself

Want to spend a quiet, relaxed evening with friends and family? Then choose classic dominoes. You'll see for yourself that there is nothing better than a quiet and relaxing evening playing this game.

For those who like to play in a fun and large company, and for those who have taken the time to learn the rules, Mexican dominoes will become a lifelong favorite. Its dynamism and unpredictability guarantee a lot of fun.

It doesn't matter what you choose — classic dominoes or Mexican dominoes. The result is the same: you will have a great experience and great company. Classic dominoes will fascinate everyone with their simplicity and unwavering logic, while Mexican dominoes will surprise you with a variety of tactical moves and dynamics. Classic dominoes are the choice of those who respect traditions and enjoy relaxing games. And for those with violent temperaments, for those who like challenging, interesting games for a large and fun company, Mexican dominoes are the right choice. 

Choose the one that suits your mood, and it will try to make your every game an unforgettable story!