Mexican Train Double 12 Dominoes Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 view all 2 reviews

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Publisher's Circle

Jo
Plymouth, MA

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Get on Board the Mexican Train for a fun ride.

a fan of educational toys, a kid at heart, like to play for fun, love board games, parent of adult kids, not intellectual

Pros

fun game for kids and adults, Great for kids learning to add

Cons

None

SEP

2008

To the Point

Our friends came over with Cardinal's Mexican Train Domino Game/ Juego de Domino. They waited for Target to get it in and paid around $20.00 for it. We had so much fun playing it - I really recommend it. Having said that my husband would have preferred Cranium. Since I wrote this we played again with six people and had even more fun.

A Closer View

There seem to be several versions of the Mexican Train. The one we played can be seen here: http://www.unclesgames.com/product_info.php?ref=3&products_id=9619&affiliate_banner_id=1.

Cardinal Industries Mexican Train Domino Game comes with 8 small plastic trains in a variety of colors; jumbo sized color dot dominoes and includes an aluminum carrying case. Mexican Train is 2 to 8 players. It also comes with a score pad and instructions.

Although the sites I looked at have the starting age of 8 up to 99 the Mexican Train by Cardinal's says 6+ on it. I really think a 6 year old would have a hard time understanding this game unless they were very bright. It is an easy to learn game but there are some concepts that I think an 8 year old and older would have a better time learning.
You may see this as " DOUBLE TWELVE MEXICAN TRAIN SET WITH ALUMINUM CASE" which is how the site above has the picture of the game we played listed.

How to Play

I won't get into every detail of how Mexican Train is played but I'll give you an overview. Each player gets 15 dominoes to start. The highest domino of 12 gets put in the center piece which is battery operated (optional) to make train like sounds.

After receiving my dominoes I put them in front of me (Holders can be bought separately but we had no problem just standing them up on the table.) in a semblance of a train i.e. everyone has to start their train with a 12 domino piece. Once I started I then build on my train using the train I built in front of me. Of course what I've built changes as the game goes along.

In addition whoever has a double domino and has already started their train can start a Mexican train. This is where we could really get rid of our high numbered dominoes because that is the point of the game- to have the lowest number when someone goes out. I never won! The way to go out is to use up all the dominoes. If you get stuck and can't add a domino anywhere you pick from the pile and unless you can put it down then you are "locked" and your train piece goes on the center piece.

One final way to play the game which is what we did is to keep on going. So after we finished the 12 domino we went to the 11 and so on until after a couple of hours we were down to 6 and quit but our friends said that they've played for 3 hours and got to the 0 domino.

Jo's Viewpoint

I like it! and in spite of my husband's thoughts I would give this a 5 and can't wait to play it again - determined to win!

Mexican Train Double 12 Dominoes is recommended by Jo

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Comments about Jo’s Review

Meri wrote on Sep 12, 2008 at 9:00PM

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This is one of our Family Favorite games! Even the little ones can play. The best part is getting to hear the train whistle when you win! Thanks for reviewing this.

Katrena wrote on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:24AM

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In response to Jo's comment from Sep 4, 2008 at 6:30AM:

Actually I can laugh about it...usually. We have a rule about that one. Whoever left the seat lid up gets to go fishing.

Jo wrote on Sep 4, 2008 at 6:30AM

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In response to Katrena's comment from Sep 2, 2008 at 11:24PM:

lol well sorry - guess it's not so funny for you!

awlafon wrote on Sep 3, 2008 at 6:10PM

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This does sound fun. Thanks Jo- a good gift idea too although I just want one for me now!

Katrena wrote on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:24PM

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Looks like fun! I'll have to wait until the youngest is not into the eating everything or placing things in the toilet stage...

kid-kansas wrote on Sep 2, 2008 at 9:21PM

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I only recently in the last few years learned to play domino's correctly and I must say it is fun and challenging at the same time, thanks for sharing...;)