The Best Strategy to Win Mexican Train Dominoes

It is not difficult to win the Mexican train domino game. These simple dominoes game strategies can make a big difference in the outcome of the game. These tips will come in handy whether you are a beginner, intermediate or professional player.

Make the Best Move

Mexican train has many different rules that you can use all over the world. However, most of my strategy tips apply to the most common rule sets. I have also outlined in the text the differences in strategy for the different rules. Each turn starts with a fixed number of dominoes for each player.

The number of dominoes can vary depending on the number of players. It can be between 7, 8, and 15, depending on how many there are. It is not essential to know the exact number. What is important is that you organize your dominoes as efficiently as possible before you start playing. After you or another player has played the initial double, you can make a move with the remaining dominoes.

You must have the same value and be connected to as many stones as possible. To find out how a player best arranges his dominoes, you have to consider all the dominoes played up to that moment. You also have to do some calculations to determine the probabilities. Which point is the best depends on how the game has gone so far. Since this is impossible, I prefer to determine the “best game” using these three basic rules.

Play the Leftover Dominoes

If two moves are of equal length, the move with the most points is the best. If there are two sets of equal size and equal point value, the best set has dominoes with the highest point value placed as far forward in the set as possible. If possible, play the leftover dominoes first. The first thing to do is to play a spare domino. Play your spare stones if you cannot play. You can always play from the end of your turn if you have spares. It is critical. You have two options. One is to use your reserves, and the other is to use your service car. It will often happen that you are playing from your end game, and suddenly one of your reserves comes into the game. You can also play with a spare.

Look for the Opportunities

If your end piece is a 10-4 and one of your spares is a 10-2, you can play on your opponent’s “marked train” (when I say “marked train,” I mean a player’s train that anyone can use), or on the Mexican train. Play the Mexican 10-4 and then move the 10-2 next to it. You can save 2 points if another player leaves before you.

It is a very common situation where you are likely to hold dozens of points for an entire game. If you have spares and the Mexican or Community train hasn’t started yet, one of your spares (or a freight car!) can start the train. Most of the time, you can unload your spares onto the Mexican (or community) train.

If you choose to start with the Mexican train or play with your opponent’s penny, choose the Mexican train. It is only possible if you have reserves. It is not necessary to use the Mexican move if all your pieces are already on it. Sometimes you will be given the option to play with your marked move OR a partner’s move. You don’t want to play on the train that belongs to you because you will lose your penny. The best option is to play the Mexican 10-8. It ensures that your turn is marked and accessible to all players, increasing the chances that you will play the double six and leave.