travel size mexican train game

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Our house-made, small-batch leather conditioner uses only time-tested natural ingredients. Our recipe was inspired by historic fishermen's boot recipes from the Library of Congress.

Double 12 Travel Domino Playing Cards

SOLD OUT. Contact me about special ordering this item:

OVERSTOCK SALE ON THE LARGER SIZE!

Our travel-sized version of Double 12 dominoes uses the most efficient material for travel size and weight: playing cards! 

Domino-size playing cards are 1/4 size versions of playing cards, which is very nearly the same size as domino tiles.  We love this size because they're just like dominoes, and they couldn't be more compact and lightweight for travelers.

Poker size cards are the same as a standard deck of playing cards. Easy to shuffle and easy to hold, they work for tabletop dominoes because of our unique corner numbers.

• Completely hand-drawn and unique
• Full-color set features a unique pip color for each domino value (1-12) for faster recognition 
• Innovative corner numbers for viewing all the dominoes fanned out in one hand.
• Can be turned into Double 9 or Double 6 dominoes simply by removing the higher-numbered cards. 

"Mexican Train" is one of our customers' favorite games and this set was designed specially for this game, with 10 train cards, a "quick start guide" with how many cards to deal how many players, and a link to complete rules of play  and a free printable scoresheet . 2-10 Players. 

During prototyping and testing, we carefully tested several sizes and styles of material to end up with just the right material and size for these dominoes. The thin, FSC-certified card stock provides the best table action for dominoes: they don't glide across the table with air-cushioned ease (a feature you want in regular playing cards but not with domino cards!) and the thinner material is easier to pick up and put down into domino formations. Because a double 12 set requires 91 tiles, the total size and weight is the more efficient and cost effective than wood or leather tiles. 

For shuffling, we find the domino-size cards are easier and faster to flip over than traditional domino tiles. Shuffle them just like you do with tiles: turn facedown and swirl around the table,  "Monaco style" .

INCLUDES:  91 domino cards (from 0/0 to 12/12), 10 train cards, 4 blank replacement cards, and 1 Mexican Train "quick start guide" with link to full rules of play in carrying tuck box (that can be also used as a train hub!). 

DIMENSIONS : - Domino Size: Cards: 1.25" x 1.75" (32mm x 45mm) -- about 1/4 the size of a standard deck  Tuck Box: 1.75" x 1.25" x 1.25" (45mm x 32mm x 32mm) Weight: 1.5 oz (42.5g).

- Poker Size: Cards: 2.5" x 3.5" (63.5mm x 89mm) -- same as a standard deck of playing cards Tuck Box: 2.625" x 3.625" x 1.25" (65mm x 90mm x 32.5mm). Weight: 5.9 oz (169g)

MATERIALS : Cards are made from FSC-certified card stock and come in a 100% recycled paper tuck box. 

MANUFACTURING PARTNER:  The cards are printed by a major playing card manufacturer in Hong Kong capable of printing quarter-size decks and boxes accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council™.

HOW TO PLAY DOMINOES: Double 12, Mexican Train, and other Domino game Rules of Play and scoresheet are posted on our website . 

PHOTOGRAPHY : C redit to Lindsey Rickert Photography

DIMENSIONS : - Domino Size: Cards: 1.25" x 1.75" (32mm x 45mm) -- about 1/4 the size of a standard deck  Tuck Box: 1.75" x 1.25" x 1.25" (45mm x 32mm x 32mm) Weight: 1.5 oz (42.5g).

- Poker Size: Cards: 2.5" x 3.5" (63.5mm x 89mm) -- same as a standard deck of playing cards Tuck Box: 2.625" x 3.625" x 1.25" (65mm x 90mm x 32.5mm). Weight: 5.9 oz (169g)

Walnut Studiolo proudly uses only full grain vegetable-tanned leather, tanned in the USA by a fourth-generation family-owned tannery. 

Let's break down what that really means. 

" Leather " at Walnut means only the highest quality, full grain, un-sanded, non-stamped, natural cowhides. (For a wood analogy, it's like using a real wood board instead of particleboard or veneer.) 

" Vegetable-tanned " means the hides are "tanned" (preserved for long life) using naturally-occurring oak bark and plant tannins. Just how pretty much all leather was tanned for millennia until the Industrial Revolution. (Nowadays over 90% of leather is tanned with  chromium/mercury - the leather we use is the 10%.) 

" American-made " means that the cow hides, which are a by-product using up the waste created by the beef industry, are from American cows, and the hides are tanned in American tanneries, which follow more stringent EPA environmental laws. (Vanishingly rare these days.)

" Uses " means we take the raw material by the hide and transform it through: cutting and shaping; hand-dying with natural oil dyes (which is like staining wood to allow the woodgrain to shine through, rather than painting it); and treating the edges into all the products you see here on our website. 

Your Walnut Studiolo Product

Since we're using such a natural material, your product may look slightly different from the product pictures. Real, natural leather hide has unique characteristics that individually personalize each product. Each piece of leather is distinctive in its base color, grain, and markings, which may include small scars, mars, or blemishes that are a natural part of the cow's life and a sign of the high quality of the leather we use.

About Bridle Leather

Walnut uses "English-style bridle leather" for a very few of our products, each of which is labeled in the Materials. Bridle leather is vegetable-tanned leather that is dyed at the tannery and infused with extra waxes and oils for more weather resistance. It's important for only a few products, such as our Bicycle Mud Flaps. The tannery dyes create a homogenous surface with a matte finish that matches the color of our hand-dyed veg-tan leather but not the lustrous natural leather grain.  

Would you like to learn more about leather?

Sign up for our Free Leather Learning Series. 

Leather Care Recommendations

More Reading on our Blog:

How We Source Our Leather

Explained: Garment Leather vs Vegetable-Tanned Leather

Why I Use USA-Made, Vegetable-Tanned Leather

Why Handmade Matters

These are our care recommendations for Walnut's Vegetable-Tanned Leather

(What is Vegetable-Tanned Leather? Learn more .)

(Shop our house-made  Leather Care Conditioner .)

Our vegetable-tanned leather does great in all weather, rain or shine. It is the same kind of old-fashioned heritage leather used in equestrian gear (horse tack), so it is meant to be used outdoors and in the elements! 

Being left out in a hot, direct sun is much harder on this kind of leather than wetness and rain; however, after getting wet the leather needs time to dry or else it will mildew. 

Vegetable-tanned leather gains more of a luster, darkens a bit, and becomes softer with use (unlike garment leather, which fades and becomes more brittle with time and use). Un-dyed vegetable-tanned leather (our "Natural" color) will "tan" or darken in sunlight.

Vegetable-tanned leather just loves to be touched - the oils in your hands naturally condition the leather the more you use it. In fact, some of our products that are constantly handled, like our bicycle sew-on bar wraps, may rarely ever need a conditioning treatment - if they look lustrous and shiny from your hands touching and sweating on them regularly, then no need to worry. 

Whether it's veg-tan or bridle leather, we recommend conditioning the leather occasionally, especially if it starts to look dry, using the care recommendations below. 

Leather Care Recommendations 

If your product is starting to look dry, take the time to give it a little care with a conditioning treatment. Care for it as little as once every year or two for occasional use with good storage conditions and as much as once a quarter for heavy outdoor use in the direct sun with dry humidity. 

Cleaning Leather 

If your leather gets dirty, clean it with diluted mild castile soap (like unscented Dr. Bronners) or unscented dishwashing liquid. Dilute the soap/liquid at least 1:10 (it should not be sudsy), and allow to fully dry before conditioning.

Leather Conditioning Directions

Keep in mind that conditioning leather usually darkens it slightly . Don't worry, this is normal. In fact, doing this several times in a row can speed up the natural darkening process that happens during aging and can also help you fine-tune the color match, if for example, you're trying to match an aged Brooks saddle.  

• Assemble your leather care conditioning product of choice, two clean dry rags, and your clean, dry leather product. For a conditioning product, we recommend our own recipe of Leather Care Dressing  with beeswax for water resistance -- but you can use any commercially-available weather-proofing conditioner product designed for vegetable-tanned leather. For a basic treatment, you can also even use simple oils, like neatsfoot oil (best), mineral oil (second best), or even olive oil if water is less of an issue.
• Rub a coat of conditioning treatment into your product lightly using a clean dry rag. Even if it has been a while, use a light coat. Heavy coats of oil can impede breathability and encourage mildew growth.
• Buff dry with a second rag. 
• You can do this as many times as you like, even allowing the treatment to soak in overnight before buffing dry.

Want to know more about leather? We wrote a FREE "Leather 101" educational course.

Want to know even more? We wrote a book! Check out the Idiot's Guide to Leather Crafts , written by Geoff and Valerie.  

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For the Media

Company questions.

• What does "Studiolo" mean? 
• Do you *really* make everything by hand in a garage? 
• I love what you're doing. How can I support? 
• Who did your art / photography / logo / web design / graphic design / videography?
• Why are your prices different on Etsy? 

Product Questions

• How does the leather hold up in the rain? 
• Can I use your bicycle products on my motorcycle? 
• I wish my Walnut product were just a shade or two darker. Is there any way to darken it? 
• Are your bike products theft-proof? 
• Where can I get the bike shown in the product pictures?
• FAQ Specific to Bicycle Handlebar Wraps

Business Questions

Q: what does "studiolo" mean .

A: "Studiolo" is  an architecture term  for a small private cabinet or study room. The "lo" is a diminutive , like "little studio." And Geoff is an architecture nerd. 

Q: Do you *really* make everything by hand in a garage?

A: Yes, really! We know, there's a lot of "handmade washing" these days and it's diluting the meaning for real people like us. Geoff makes everything in our home, in small batches. He uses hand-tools and everything. In 2016 , we upgraded our home garage from a two-car to a full-sized workshop by moving from urban Portland to the rural Oregon Coast. To see a short video of Geoff's handiwork in action and see "what handmade means to us", go to:  http://vimeo.com/cineastas/walnut

Q: I love what you're doing. How can I support? 

A: Thank you for your support! We are a grassroots company and we appreciate all the grassroots support we've had to keep it going. Here's what can help us: 

• Share the word about us on your social media. Word-of-mouth referrals to your friends and family are the highest compliment we've ever received! 
• Share your pictures with us - either on social media or email - so we can show the world how beautiful these products look in person.
• Keep up with the latest news with our  newsletter ,  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Google+ , or  Instagram .
• Leave a review of our store or our products  on our site.

Q: Who did your art / photography / logo / web design / graphic design / videography?

• Erin Berzel Photography
• Why Hello There Graphic Design
• Austin Goodman Photography
• Michael Ward Media
• Cineastas Video
• Jim Golden Photography  
• Anthony Kerrigan Photography
• Aaron Lee Photography
• Broken Banjo Photography

Q: Why on your prices different on Etsy?

Q: how does the leather hold up in the rain.

A: Great! Leather has always traditionally been an outdoor material (think equestrian gear, work boots, etc). We use the same high-quality leather used for horse gear and bridles, so it's designed to withstand the elements. Leather is an exceptionally durable material, which is why we like working with it. That said, we recommend taking care of your leather using the directions on our Leather Care page .  

Q: Can I use your bicycle products on my motorcycle? 

A: Sorry, but no! We don't recommend our products for use on motorcycles. We don't have access to a motorcycle to design them for. There's a wonderful motorcycle-specific leather craftsman in Oregon called  Langlitz Leathers  you might want to check out, or for your custom project, check out the website  Custom Made , or there are  other leathercrafters on Etsy  that may be able to help out.

Q: I wish my Walnut product were just a shade or two darker. Is there any way to darken it? 

A: Our vegetable-tanned leather darkens naturally with age and use, but you can speed up the process with a conditioning treatment.  Read more on our blog post.

Q: Are your bike products theft-proof?

A: Nothing is theft-proof these days. But read this blog post for customer ideas on how to deter theft of your leather bicycle accessories.  

Q: Where can I get the bike(s) shown in the product pictures?

A:  The bottom line is, you can make any bike beautiful and uniquely yours - that's the fun part! The two bicycles shown in most of our pictures are a 1980's Bianchi that we stripped completely down, had powder-coated in cream and chocolate colors, and re-built all the components from the ground up. The dark blue road bike with honey leather wraps on the handlebars and top tube is a 1970s era vintage French Detouron that we found on eBay, delivered straight from France.

Q: I have questions about your bicycle handlebar wraps.

Check out this page with FAQ specific to our Leather Handlebar Wraps .  

Still have questions? Contact us.  

We are pleased to offer FREE Domestic Shipping with a minimum order and Free Local Pickups . For our latest offer, check out our Shipping Promotions page. 

We offer multiple domestic shipping options to US addresses using the US Postal Service  and FedEx , with prices calculated in real-time!

Free Standard Shipping delivery times apply to  USPS First Class Post (2-5 days).

If USPS gives us an error message regarding the address, we may write to request an alternate address to prevent the item from being shipped and returned. This may delay your order. 

If your package is returned to us, we will rely on you for further instructions. Re-sending the package may incur duplicate shipping charges, and any active free shipping offers do not apply to re-sending returned packages. 

If you have any questions about your order or a particular deadline, please contact us using the link below so we can talk about the options and costs :

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Walnut Studiolo can ship to over 200 countries* and we have proudly shipped already to over 50 countries around the world! 

We are pleased to offer promotional FLAT RATE shipping rates world-wide, which vary by country/region. For our latest offers, check out our Shipping Promotions page. 

How much will shipping cost?

It depends on what you order and when you need it! Use the Shipping Calculator in the Shopping Cart page to get an estimate. 

• Economy (2-7 Weeks, a little faster to Canada) : our Flat Rates and standard international shipping  originates with the US Postal Service (USPS)  and is delivered by the destination country's postal service, which can be slow (2-5 Weeks normally). Sometimes there is no last-mile tracking information, depending on the country. Some packages are first facilitated by Asendia (La Poste & Swiss Post) . Once the package has left the USA, it changes control to the destination country's post service, where they may collect import/VAT/GST taxes. We recommend you take the tracking number into your local post office to get tracking updates. If it has been over 40 days, please contact us to file an insurance claim to replace it.   
• Express (2-7 Days) : We also offer good negotiated rates with DHL Express  and FedEx International for greater reliability and tracking. The carrier collects taxes directly from you rather than requiring you to go into your local post office to pick it up. 

What about taxes?

With the exception of our promotional Canada Flat Rate DDP service , we do not collect international import taxes or VAT/GST taxes on your behalf. 

When your package arrives, your country may charge you additional taxes on the order. We cannot reimburse you for your country's import taxes. Please check with your local country's customs office to find out how much taxes will be to your country - they could easily be as much as 20%-30% of the purchase price, including the cost of shipping.

If you need to know the HTS import tariff code to estimate taxes, please contact us. If this changes your mind on the order, no problem, let us know and we'd be happy to cancel it for you and refund your money in full.

--> To get an estimate on these costs, please review Duty Calculator .

To avoid this headache and get your item faster and without import taxes, take a look at our Retailers page to see if there is a Retailer near you: http://walnutstudiolo.com/pages/retailers

Where don't we ship?

*For our customers in Brazil , we highly recommend you use a freight forwarding service or a 3rd party carrier such as DHL Express due to exceptionally slow post in Brazil, often taking 3 months or even more.

Due to US laws, these are the countries Walnut Studiolo  CANNOT  ship to. For a current and complete list of sanctions and embargoes, please see the US Trade Office website . 

Myanmar (Burma)

North Korea

Walnut Studiolo now carries a small stock of most of our items in most color combinations, and can get the majority items into the mail within 1-3 business days.

However, we still do make some of our items to order.

If we need to make it to order, hand-stitched items generally take longer, and may take as long as 1-2 weeks to make. 

Please note, monogramming will add time to your order, anywhere from 1-2 days to 1-2 weeks. 

If you have any questions about your order or need to get an order on a particular deadline, please contact us using the link below so we can be sure to prioritize your order or talk about shipping options:

CUSTOMER SERVICE  

If we can't make your time frame and you'd like us to cancel the order, we will be happy to cancel your order and refund your payment, no questions asked.

We accept returns  of clean and undamaged merchandise in  re-sellable condition within  30 days of delivery   for exchange or refund. Return shipping cost is the responsibility of the customer.

If you're not satisfied with your purchase for any reason,   just let us know why, and we'll work with you to find a satisfactory resolution. Please   contact us   so we can talk about the options. 

We do not accept returns on the following items:   custom, gift cards, "AS-IS," monogrammed, or laser-engraved products, and closeout sales (unless there is a serious manufacturing defect). In certain uncommon cases, we reserve the right to refuse excessive returns, entirely at our discretion. 

Refunds   will be credited to the original payment method for the product value only (not the cost of shipping or any gift wrapping fees).  For orders that received a free shipping promotion, the refund will be less the actual cost  of the original shipping.

Exchanges   may be issued as a store credit, or as a direct exchange for other products, which we will ship to you with no additional shipping charge (US addresses only; shipping charges apply to international exchanges). Any difference in total value will either be refunded or invoiced. International exchanges will be marked accordingly on customs forms. 

Replacement Parts Policy:   We provide a replacement guarantee for missing or damaged parts under the following conditions: 1) Notification within 30 days of delivery, and 2) Provide an unboxing photo or video demonstrating the issue, and 3) The evidence does not contra-indicate the claim. We will research each issue within 72 hours, including the carrier's package shipping weight and combined parts weights. Please note the same policy applies regardless of where the order is shipped: if the order is shipped to a third party, such as a contractor, we have the same requirements. We have a two-step QA/QC process to ensure we fulfill and ship your orders correctly the first time, with a 99.8% perfect order track record. Please carefully review the package, try opening the box upside down to make sure there are no "false bottoms", and count the parts prior to contacting us.

After the return window,  we may accept returns of non-defective merchandise on a discretionary basis for exchange or merchandise credit for the purchased value of the product.

Restocking fees  may be assessed  i n some cases, depending on the circumstances, such as a large handle orders with complex kitting and parts, not to exceed 10%. 

Nonrefundable payment processing fees may apply.  If payment processors, including PayPal and/or ShopPay, do not refund payment processing commissions (approximately  3%), then the funds are unavailable for us to return to you.

Undeliverable packages   (such as: incorrect addresses, non-deliverable addresses, unclaimed packages, refusal to pay customs duties, or failed delivery attempts) are considered abandoned. They may be destroyed by the carrier or returned to sender. If we receive them back returned to sender, we will hold them for up to 6 months for re-delivery or return instructions. Please contact us if you have not received your package so we can discuss options, including shipping insurance. Please note, shipping fees for re-delivery are paid by the recipient. 

Warranty:   If you believe there is a quality issue or manufacturing defect on our part, please  contact us  and if possible provide photos to help explain the problem. Assuming we concur and a return or exchange is required, in these cases we will provide you with a postage-paid return label (US addresses only). (Note that the normal variations in leather inherent to the quality of the hide are not considered manufacturing or quality defects, but rather are a signal of the genuine, natural, and high-quality material we use.) See more about our   warranty   in the footer link.

To send in a return,   simply ship the merchandise with:

• The order number, and
• A note requesting a return or exchange with exchanged item details and address information

An email in advance   is always appreciated so we can be on the lookout for the package. 

Please package your returns carefully to ensure they do not get damaged during return transit to:

Walnut Studiolo Attn: Customer Returns 36005 Highway 53 Nehalem, OR 97131 USA

Have you checked our  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ?

Contact information: .

• Email:  [email protected]
• Call us:  +1 503 447 6889
• Address:  36005 Highway 53 ,  Nehalem, OR 97131
• About visiting our workshop

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These domino cards are perfect for my next trip. Very compact and light, easy to take on the road. Can’t wait to try them!

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Home » Board Games » The Best Mexican Train Dominoes Sets

The Best Mexican Train Dominoes Sets

While traditional dominoes require nothing more than an appropriate number of tiles, the best Mexican train dominoes sets all contain additional items that help players enjoy this unique take on the long-time  pub favorite .

Having recently fallen in love with this increasingly popular tile game, we’ve spent hours trying out dozens of the best-selling sets, all in the name of finding the ones that provide the best quality, the most enjoyment and, of course, the best value for money.

That’s what today’s guide is all about.

Below, we’ve ranked and reviewed what we consider to be the ten very best Mexican train dominoes sets out there, ranging from compact travel sets to top-grade accessories that would make a luxurious addition to any games room.

Before we dive into those reviews, however, let us first introduce those of you unfamiliar with Mexican train dominoes to this enjoyable, family-friendly game.

Top Ten Best Mexican Train Dominoes Sets 

What is mexican train dominoes.

A game for one to eight players, Mexican Train Dominoes is a modern twist on the  classic dominoes game  in which the objective is simply to be the first player to get rid of all your tiles.

A complete Mexican train dominoes set will include a starting hub, a circular device often made of plastic or wood that is commonly referred to as the “train station.” 

The game also requires a double-12 tile which is placed in the center of the station and serves as the “engine.” 

From then on in, players look to connect their dominoes to the engine tile and build their own train.

If a player doesn’t have the right tile to take their turn (even after drawing from the pile of spare tiles), they place a counter on their end tile to signify that their train is now “open” and can be built on by the other players.

The first player who uses up all of their dominoes wins the round.

Each of the ten-game sets we’ve looked at below includes all of these essential features (starting hub, double-12 tile, and train pieces), though as you’ll soon see, some sets are better suited for certain players than others.

1. Cardinal Mexican Train Dominoes Game

Right away, the first thing you notice about this attractive  Mexican train dominoes set from Cardinal  is the thick, solid aluminum case, a sturdy piece of kit that’s durable enough to keep your dominoes in top condition yet -at only 4lbs- remains light enough to carry around with ease.

Combined with the sturdy, easy-grip handle, this makes Cardinal’s set an excellent choice for anyone planning to take their game over to a friend’s house or to while away those sunny afternoons in the park.

Still, as good as that case may be, things only get better once you open it up.

Inside, you get the standard 91 double-12 dominoes needed to play Mexican train dominoes, each one well crafted from a solid melamine plastic and clearly marked with bright colors. 

One of the biggest complaints levied at lesser-quality domino sets is that the dots (known in dominoes parlance as “pips”) on the tiles can be too dull, making it difficult to identify each piece in certain lighting conditions.

With this one, there’s no such problem. Cardinal have gone to great trouble to ensure each tile is as vivid as the next.

Elsewhere, this comprehensive kit contains everything you need to get your game underway, including nine individual train markers, a plastic starter hub, scorepad, and easy-to-follow instructions.

All told, few sets out there can match this one in terms of both aesthetic appeal and manufacturing quality, making it our preferred pick for the best overall Mexican train dominoes set out there.

2. Pressman Mexican Train Dominoes

Pressman Toys specialize in manufacturing a whole range of  entertaining board games  for all ages and even offer several alternative Mexican train dominoes games. Out of all those,  this beautifully colored classic set  is clearly a winner.

All 91 dominoes are present and accounted for and are designed to a very high standard, thick enough to be able to stand on their edges yet not so heavy that they weigh the whole set down.

The pips are both brightly colored and fairly large compared to those in some other sets. 

That makes this one a great choice for small children, for those who struggle with their eyesight, or indeed for anyone who prefers to add a little vibrancy to their game night.

As a game for up to eight players, it’s fitting that Pressman included eight train pieces, though personally, we would have liked to see them throw in an extra piece just in case. 

Still, that’s a small complaint, as is the fact that there’s no carry case included. Instead, you get a vivid -and admittedly rather gorgeous box made from the same sturdy While that does mean that this is a better kit for keeping at home than carrying around with you, that’s hardly a bad thing, especially when you consider the hours of enjoyment you can have with this one.

Finally, we should mention that the starter hub and instructions both come as standard, though you will need to buy your own scorepad. 

3. Ksamor Double 12 Dominoes Set 

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Giving our top-ranked Cardinal set a good run for its money in the carry case department, Ksamor package their  Double-12 dominoes set  in a tough aluminum box with a secure handle.

Yet what really sets this apart from its competitors are the dominoes themselves. Instead of the usual pips found on 99% of the  best domino sets  out there, this one uses large, colored numbers engraved into the tiles.

https://bargames101.com/best-dominoes-set/

Sure, that can be a little off-putting to serious dominoes aficionados, but if you’re looking to introduce young children to the game, or even if you’re looking to use dominoes as a learning tool to teach the kids about numbers, then this one really does work a charm. 

The child-friendly approach continues with the eight train pieces and central train hub, all of which boast a simplistic design that makes them easy to grip and appealing to youngsters.

4. Mexican Train Dominoes To Go

Possibly the best budget-friendly option for Mexican dominoes fans,  this portable travel set by Puremco  is a good deal smaller than most of its competitors -even those that pitch themselves as suitable for travel.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you’re looking for a compact (what Puremco calls “fun size”) Mexican dominoes set that you can easily slot into a travel bag and use as a boredom-beater on those long road trips, this is definitely a tough one to beat.

Like the third-placed Ksamor kit, this one uses numbered tiles rather than actual dominoes. While that should make it a great option for kids, the smaller pieces tend to rule it out as an option for those with very young children.

Other than that, the double-12 dominoes are as well made as any we’ve seen, built from highly durable melamine and gorgeously engraved with brightly colored numbers.

The train pieces too are rather special, each one coated in a sparkling glitter finish. OK, so that might not have much practical benefit, but it does make the pieces pretty to look at.

The same can be said for the stylish canvas carry case, expertly embroidered with the game’s name in a striking red font. 

Though this may not be the best option for serious players, if you’re looking for a low-cost game set you can take on your next family vacation then this should definitely be one to consider.

5. Yinlo Mexican Train Dominoes

If you like the idea of a travel-ready game set but found the diminutive size of our last pick just a little too impractical, then you may well prefer this attractive  Mexican Train Dominoes set from Yinlo .

Like all of the best travel versions of the game, Yinlo pack their dominoes into a strong aluminum case that manages to be at once both incredibly durable and extremely lightweight, with a nice, thick handle making it easy to carry around. Unlike other versions, however, this one doesn’t compromise on size.

These are full-size, reasonably thick tiles that you’d get with any decent game set, meaning this works just as well if you plan to keep your game at home.

The only real drawback to this one is that the colors on those dominoes leave something to be desired. Sure, the yellow pips stand out pretty well, but otherwise, most of the colors tend to be very similar, a factor which could make it trickier to identify them depending on the lighting.

On the plus side, we do like that Yinlo have included a scoreboard. This is a useful feature which many other sets tend to omit, so for that, if nothing else, they definitely get a few bonus points from us.

6. Yellow Mountain Imports Mexican Train Dominoes Accessory Set

The most noticeable thing about this  Mexican Train Dominoes Accessory Set from Yellow Mountain Imports  is that it doesn’t come with any dominoes. 

If you’re looking for a complete set to start playing dominoes for the first time, then the lack of actual tiles will no doubt rule this one out of the running for you.

If, however, you already play regular dominoes and simply need the necessary accessories to convert your standard game into the Mexican train version, then you should absolutely give this one some serious consideration.

Because the second thing you notice about it is just how remarkably well-crafted it is.

Yellow Mountain Imports are well-known for the outstanding quality of their sets for other games like  Mahjong  and  Backgammon , and they certainly maintain their reputation well with this beautifully designed accessory set.

At the heart is a gorgeous central hub that has been expertly carved from a solid redwood, while the diecast trains add a certain touch of luxury to your game. 

If you’re a die-hard dominoes player looking to upgrade your game set to something with a little more class, style, and quality manufacturing, you’ll find this one really tough to beat.

7. Regal Games Colored Dot Dominoes Set

Right off the shelf, there’s a lot to like about the  Regal Games Colored Dot Dominoes Set . The metal tin, while clearly designed with practically rather than aesthetic appeal in mind- is very well presented, immediately making this the sort of set that’s ideal for giving away as a gift.

Inside, the tiles are as resilient and well-made as any other, featuring clearly marked, colored pips that have been nicely engraved into the surface.

The starting hub also stands out from the crowd. Whereas most sets come with a basic plastic number, this one uses a small yet flawlessly carved wooden “docking station” to serve as the centerpiece of your game.

Where the Regal Games set really earns its place on this list, however, is the stunning train pieces.

Forget the cheap little plastic numbers bundled into most sets, this one comes with wonderful die-cast metal figures which also contribute to the set’s appeal as a gift item, especially if the person you’re gifting it to is already a major dominoes fan.

8. Double-12 Mexican Train Number Dominoes 

Another great option for the on-the-go gamer, the  CHH Double-12 Mexican Train Number Dominoes Set  comes in a smart, compact canvas zip-case that combines exceptional durability with stylish design. 

Open up that case and you’ll find a set of beautifully-designed tiles which, though they may be a little on the small side, are nice and chunky, a feature which is indicative of their strength and superior quality. If you’re the kind of player who prefers numbered tiles to pips, then you’ll also find a lot to like here.

Each tile is decorated with large numbers, the vibrancy of which is dwarfed only by the gorgeous, glitter-coated train counters.

Though nothing out of the ordinary, the included plastic starter hub serves its purpose, helping make this one a practical, affordable option for any casual dominoes player.

9. KAILE Mexican Train Dominoes

If you happened to love everything about the seventh-placed CHH brand but hate the compact canvas case, then  this top-selling set from KAILE  might work well for you.

Like the last item we looked at it, this one features a functional yet bland-looking starter hub, but makes up for it with the bright numbered tiles. Although this is marketed as a travel set, those tiles are still a little larger than most “fun-size” options, making it well-suited for small children, or for simply keeping around the house. 

One thing we like a lot about this one is that not only is it one of the rare few kits to include a scorepad, but it also comes with a handy pen. That way, you don’t have to spend time scrambling around for a way to keep score before you start playing. simply flip open the case, set up, and get the game underway.

Speaking of the case, it’s a very similar aluminum design to many of the other products featured in today’s guide; thin and lightweight enough to make it easy to carry around yet plenty strong and noticeably impact-resistant. 

All in all, a solid, middle-of-the-range kit that makes a decent alternative to any of the brands featured in this guide.

10. WE Games Mexican Train Dominoes 

This classic  all-in-one Mexican Train Dominoes set from WE Games  is proof -if ever proof were needed- that just because a game set is low cost, that doesn’t mean it’s low quality.

One of the better budget-friendly sets out there, WE Games have gone out of their way to provide value for money with 91 full-size, thick-set, double-12 tiles with large, multi-colored pips making it a breeze to identify each piece. 

As with all good quality Mexican train games, this one includes the eight standard train pieces built from glossy yet resilient plastic and finished in an assortment of bold colors.

Likewise, the starter hub is tough, durable, and relatively attractive, and while the vinyl case may not be the strongest out there, it certainly does the job.

The one major drawback is that WE Games have neglected to include any instructions. Though that’s certainly not very helpful if you’re new to the game, you can always check out our complete  how to play Mexican Train dominoes guide , complete with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

Mexican Train Dominoes Set Buyers’ Guide 2022

If you’ve read this far, then you’ve likely reached a similar conclusion to the one we did:

Any of the top ten sets we’ve listed above would be pretty much ideal for starting to play Mexican train dominoes with your friends or family.

So which one exactly are you supposed to spend your money on?

In our estimation, that all depends on how, where, and with whom you’re planning to play this modern classic.

Below, we’ve looked at a few of the key factors that should help you decide which one of our top-ten picks represents the best value for you.

Case Style and Material

It can’t have escaped your attention that the majority of these kits come in a travel case either made from robust aluminum or durable canvas.

Technically, both of these options work well if you’re the kind of player who likes to take your game around from place to place, but in our opinion, choosing which one to buy really depends on  where  you’re taking it around to.

Though we’ve said time and time again how lightweight those aluminum cases are, there’s still no denying the fact that they’re the heaviest -not to mention the largest- of all the different options out there.

That makes them a great choice for keeping your game set secure and protected while perhaps traveling locally to visit friends or family, but when it comes to taking it on trains, planes, and automobiles, it’s simply impractical. 

On the other hand, if you’re planning to take your game no further than your own living room, then you’re no longer limited to these two options. An attractive collectors tin or a good old fashioned board game box will work just as well.

Traditional Tiles vs. Numbered Dominoes

Traditionally, dominoes have always used “pips” – a set amount of dots that represent a numerical value. Even though it’s a modern game, many of the best Mexican train domino sets keep up this tradition, albeit by upgrading the pips by presenting them in an array of colors.

This has the advantage of lending an air of authenticity to your game and is the best option if you’re buying a set for a long-time dominoes fan who takes their game seriously.

That said, pips do have one major disadvantage in that it can sometimes be a little tricky to identify how many pips are on a tile.

Trust us, it wouldn’t be the first time that a game has been significantly slowed down by players having to stop and count the pips on a tile before they play it.

It’s for this reason that some players prefer sets that replace the pips with actual numbers. So instead of six pips, you simply get the number six. This can speed up the gameplay and often proves a better option for elderly players or those with visual difficulties.

What’s more, numbered tiles can often prove to be the best option for playing with young children, especially if you’re using the game as an educational exercise to help them recognize different numbers. 

Speaking of children, having really small children around might mean that one of the compact, “fun-size” sets isn’t really the best way to go for you. Not only are the smaller tiles difficult for tiny fingers to pick up properly, but there’s also the usual choking hazards to consider.

In other words, if this is a game you’re planning to play with your young ones, then one of the larger, full-size sets is definitely the way to go.

Which is the Best Mexican Train Dominoes Set to Buy?

Having said all that, if you’re looking for our recommendation on the best all-round set to spend your hard-earned money on, then we have to go with the  Cardinal Mexican Train Dominoes Game  as it really does represent the very best of all the qualities we looked for when determining our top ten.

It’s remarkably well-built, attractive and practical, with full-size tiles and a large robust carry case that makes it just as great for keeping around the home as it does for taking it to a friend’s house.

If you’re looking for a compact set to take with you on the road, then you’ll definitely find a lot to like about the  Mexican Train Dominoes To Go  from Puremco, a “fun-sized” set that fits effortlessly into a carry-on bag while still containing all the essential features you need to play the game.

Finally, if you’re on the hunt for the ideal set to introduce your young ones to the game, give the child-friendly  Ksamor Double 12 Dominoes Set  a try. It’s large, brightly-colored tiles use numbers rather than pips, making it great for younger children, though it’s still attractive -and practical- enough to appeal to players of all ages.

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Play Mexican Train Dominoes online with official rules—for free!

• The objective of Mexican Train Dominoes is to play all your tiles. The lowest score wins at the end of all rounds.
• Your score is the total number of pips (dots) on each tile left at the end of each round.
• Your row of dominoes is your"personal train". You want to keep that closed to competitors as long as possible.
• The row of dominoes across the top is the public "Mexican Train" and is an open train available to everyone, all the time.

The general rules of Mexican Train Dominoes include:

• Each round starts with a double, which is a domino that is the same on both sides, like 12|12. Double blank dominoes serve as 0|0.
• The "boneyard" is where remaining tiles lay for each player to draw from. You can draw one domino from the boneyard on each turn if you have no other tiles to play.

• Each player gets a personal "train" of dominoes. There’s an additional "Mexican Train" that is public and you can play a tile on it on any turn.
• You must connect one end of a domino with another of the same number on a train, such as 3|4 - 4|9 - 9|1.
• If you can’t make a play on your train, the Mexican Train, or after drawing a domino from the boneyard your train is marked as "open", and other players can play on your train. This can be helpful or it can be harmful depending on your opponent’s strategy and the luck of the draw. You can close your train by playing a tile on your train again.
• If a player plays a double domino, they must “cover the double”. This means you get to play an extra tile, which helps you run out of dominoes faster—just make sure you have an available tile to play.
• If a player plays a double and can’t cover it, their train is marked as open and the next player must close the double. This rule repeats until the double is covered.

Helpful hints and strategies for Mexican Train Dominoes

• Play on your personal train for as long as possible. It’ll hinder your opponents and sustain any strategies you might have for longer.
• You can rotate the tiles by double-clicking or tapping them and you can reorder your unplayed tiles in the space at the bottom of the playing area. This is a helpful way to lay out a strategy to match tiles and doubles on your train while you wait for other players to play.
• You can download Mexican Train Dominoes for iOS, Google Play for Android, and Kindle devices via the App Stores.

FAQs about how to play Mexican Train Dominoes online and in-app

Learn more about mexican train with these free guides, strategies, and how-tos.

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Mexican Train

Our El Tren double 12 sets are the most modern design of Mexican Train dominoes. Great for up to 8 players. Can also be used for chicken foot. 

“El Tren” Mexican Train Dominoes Set

From $275.00

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Mexican Train

Basic game rules, buy mexican train, other games, mexican train game rules.

• 91 Double 12 Color Dot Dominoes
• 8 Small Train Markers
• 1 Train Hub

Object of the Game

To be the first player to play all of your dominoes, or to have the lowest number of points at the end of the game. The lowest total score after all rounds is the winner.

Place the dominoes facedown on the table and mix them together. Players draw their initial hand from those mixed dominoes. The number of dominoes drawn by each player depends on the number of players in the game:

Each player should arrange their dominoes so they can see the color dots but other players cannot. After all players have drawn, the facedown dominoes remaining on the table become the "boneyard" from which players will draw dominoes during the game.

Each player selects one train marker and sits it in front of them on the table next to their dominoes. The train hub is placed in the center of the table.

The player who has the highest double domino in their hand begins the game by placing that domino in the center of the train hub. If that player has another domino in their hand with one end that matches the center double domino they can also begin their personal train on the same turn.

To begin their personal train, the player places the domino in the empty train station that is closest to them on the train hub. That player's turn is now over and play continues to the left.

All players must try to begin their personal train on their first turn. Each player may only have one personal train. If a player is unable to match one of their dominoes to the center double domino, they must take one domino from the boneyard.

If they are able to play that domino immediately they may do so and their turn is over. If they are not able to play it immediately they must add the domino to their hand and place their train marker in their train station.

Other players who have already started their personal trains may now start that player's personal train by following the rules explained in the Train Markers section below.

Any time a domino is played it must have a side that matches the open end of the last domino on a train. The matching end must be placed so it touches the open end of a domino. Players can only play one domino on each turn unless they are playing a double domino.

Double Dominoes

When a double domino is played, it should be placed perpendicular to the last domino on the train. If a player plays a double domino they must immediately "satisfy" that double domino by playing a second domino that has one end that matches the double domino.

If that player does not have a matching domino in their hand they must draw a domino from the boneyard. If they are still unable to satisfy the double domino, that player places their train marker on their train and their turn is over.

The next player must then try to satisfy the double domino. If they cannot satisfy it with a domino from their hand they must draw a domino from the boneyard. If they are able to use the drawn domino to satisfy the double they must do so and their turn is then over.

If that player is still unable to satisfy the double domino, they must place their own train marker on their own personal train and their turn is over.

The game continues in this "doubles" phase until a player is able to satisfy the double domino. Regular play resumes with the player to the left of the player who satisfied the double.

Train Markers

If a player is unable to play a domino on their turn they must place their train marker on their train. The train marker should be positioned on the last domino on that player's personal train, or on that player's train station if they have not started their personal train. That player's turn is now over.

As long as the train marker remains on a player's personal train, other players may play dominoes on that player's train. If that player is able to play a domino once again on his/ her personal train, the marker is removed and other players are no longer able to play their dominoes on that train.

After a player has started their personal train they may choose to start a "Mexican Train" by placing a tile with one end that matches the center double domino anywhere on the table.

Only one Mexican Train can be started during the game. Any player can start the Mexican Train on their turn, and it can be started at any point during the game. The Mexican Train should not connect to the train hub and should not interfere with players' personal trains. Any player can play on the Mexican Train.

Possible Plays

On a player's turn, they can make any one of the following plays:

Personal Train

The player can play on their personal train, or they can begin their personal train if they have not already done so.

The player can play on the Mexican Train, or they can begin a Mexican Train if another player has not already started one.

Marked Train

The player can play on another player's train if that player has their train marker on their train.

End of the Game

When a player has played their last domino, they are the winner. If the last domino played is a double, it does not have to be satisfied with another domino.

If a player cannot play a domino from their hand and cannot draw a tile because the boneyard is empty, he or she must place their train marker on their personal train and pass. If all players are forced to pass, the game ends at that point.

At the end of the game, players add up the dot value of their remaining tiles and the player with the lowest score is the winner .

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For a 90-Minute Game, a Train Ride of 27 Hours

Mexico and Sweden play a crucial World Cup game on Wednesday. Some of their fans decided the best way to get there was by train. An overnight train.

By Jeré Longman

Photographs by James Hill

YEKATERINBURG, Russia — After nearly 27 hours and 900 miles on a train from Moscow, Hans Josefsson’s pedicure remained immaculate.

Before leaving Sweden 10 days earlier for the World Cup, he had his toenails painted blue and gold, the colors of the national soccer team.

“A professional did it; I knew I would do a lot of walking in these sandals,” Mr. Josefsson said before arriving here Tuesday afternoon in the easternmost Russian city in which matches are being played.

A fellow passenger on the daylong trip, Luis Aragones, 24, an architect, had watched in Mexico City as Mexico stunned Germany , the defending champion, in its opening game. He had joined a delirious celebration whose mass jumping may have caused the equivalent of a minor earthquake .

Inspired, Mr. Aragones canceled plans to attend a wedding in Argentina. He sold his television and an X-Box console, got a loan from his mother, bought a one-way ticket to Moscow, stayed awake for two days without a hotel room and then boarded Train No. 118 to Yekaterinburg on Monday. He promptly fell asleep for 10 hours.

“I just knew I had to be here,” he said.

There may not be more exuberant and adventurous fans at the World Cup than those from Sweden and Mexico, whose teams will meet in a crucial match on Wednesday in this city where Europe becomes Asia. Both teams will be seeking to advance to the knockout phase of soccer’s world championship.

About 15 to 20 fans from each team boarded a Soviet-era train early Monday afternoon at Kazansky Station in Moscow, riding the rails instead of taking a much shorter, and surely duller, airplane trip that thousands of their compatriots were taking across the Ural Mountains.

In a cabin for four, Patrik Brunnberg and Anton Dimitrov, both 31 and longtime friends from Stockholm, became bunkmates by chance with their countrymen Claes Hedlund and Orejan Jonsson, both 59 and teachers from Goteborg.

“At least they will be snoring in Swedish,” Mr. Hedlund said.

It was a trip for those who preferred thrift and exploration over speed and luxury. The journey can expand to six days on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Beijing.

“It’s a chance to try something different,” said Mr. Brunnberg, an IT project manager. “You don’t see anything when you’re flying.”

The staff aboard Train No. 118 was patient and solicitous. The cabins were basic but clean and comfortable, though sometimes hot. Security guards patrolled the narrow aisles unobtrusively but carried batons and handcuffs.

The World Cup passengers were friendly and united by their common sporting passion. But much to the surprise of some as dinnertime approached on Monday, the train lacked even a dining car, much less access to the internet.

“We thought we would have a big party, with a restaurant and a bar where they would be playing music and dancing,” said Oscar Bonfil, 45, a native of Mexico City who is a supermarket executive in Lima, Peru. “It’s kind of boring.”

The problem, explained Aleksandra Popova, an attendant working her maiden trip, is that so many trains are headed south from Moscow during the World Cup and family vacations. As a result, some eastbound trains are left without certain amenities. Namely, restaurants.

That did not seem to hinder nine Swedish supporters in car No. 13. They brought their own party and restaurant on the trip. Their lubricated intent was inscribed on one fan’s T-shirt: “Beer, please.”

“No drink!” an attendant in the car admonished the group, but this seemed to be more of a suggestion than a hard and fast rule.

Certain beverages stronger than water were carried in plastic bags, along with orange juice that was not technically being administered for its abundance of vitamin C.

“It’s a long trip; you’ve got to stay hydrated,” said Mr. Brunnberg, who later detected in himself an odd medical deficiency, adding, “I’ve got too much blood in my alcohol system.”

Two hours into the journey, the train made its first stop, in the town of Vekovka. Vendors on the platform offered crystal ornaments, tea services and plaques mounted with taxidermied squirrels.

The stop was long enough for the most gastro-curious passengers to walk across the tracks to a small store that sold bread, sliced carrots, cheese and what may or may not have been chicken cutlets.

Others smoked and wondered about the missing restaurant car.

“We don’t have dishes,” Ms. Popova, the attendant, explained in English. “Just Ramen, snacks, sweets and instant mashed potatoes.”

Emmanuel Gonzalez Rodriguez, 22, a student at the University of Texas-El Paso, stood on the platform in a green Mexico jersey. Mexican fans have been criticized for the use of a homophobic chant , made when opponents perform goal kicks. Asked about it, Gonzalez Rodriguez said he was proud of his fellow El Tri fans for not using the chant against the most recent opponent, South Korea, on Saturday.

He noted that some Mexico supporters helped clean up their area of the stadium after that match, borrowing a practice from the Japanese. Supporters have also drawn praise for helping to lift a wheelchair-bound Egyptian fan above the crowd at a Fan Zone in Moscow, allowing him to watch a match with an unobstructed view.

“Let’s show the world that we are on the first level,” Mr. Gonzalez Rodriguez said.

As the train left Vekovka, Oleg Vysotskiy tried to watch Russia’s match against Uruguay on his cellphone. The reception was intermittent, not unlike the air conditioning.

It was just as well, as Russia lost, 3-0. Still, the team advanced to the second round for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Not bad for a squad rated one of the lowest of the 32 teams in the tournament.

“It’s already an excellent achievement,” said Mr. Vysotskiy, 28, a construction consultant traveling on vacation with his wife and daughter. “We’ve been looking for this quite a long time.”

The landscape was mostly unwavering, birch and pine forests dotted with clusters of wooden cottages the color of Easter eggs.

“Trees, trees, trees,” said Marcia Bergstrom, 54, Mr. Josefsson’s wife, who works in business development. “It looks like Sweden.”

Cleverly, she had brought along children’s picture books to help overcome the language barrier in Russia. She showed an attendant the picture of a knife and quickly secured cutlery to slice a chunk of cheese and the cutlets.

Mr. Josefsson, 56, the chief executive of a facilities management company, was also traveling with a longtime friend, Janne Hedman, 56, a municipal gardener. They had grown up together in the Swedish village of Krylbo and have carried a flag bearing the hamlet’s name to each of the countless matches they have attended.

They have been traveling to the World Cup since 1990. In 1994, when the tournament was held in the United States and Sweden finished third, they apparently became among the first of the country’s fans to slather their faces in team colors.

A number of newspapers and Time magazine carried their photographs, the men said. Mr. Hedman remembered one caption that said something like, “Dearth of sanity perhaps, but a lot of passion.”

Now, Mr. Josefsson said: “I’m too old to paint my face. We have to try new things.”

So he had his toenails painted as a talisman. So far, Sweden has defeated South Korea and lost excruciatingly to Germany on a dagger of a free kick five minutes into added time.

“The worst football moment of my life,” Mr. Josefsson said of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat. “I felt empty. It hurts still to talk about it.”

Yet Sweden can still reach the knockout phase in a variety of ways . Meanwhile, Mexico, undefeated after two matches, is seeking to advance beyond the group stage for the seventh consecutive World Cup.

At dusk on Monday, Ms. Popova, the attendant, offered salami and mayonnaise sandwiches to hungry passengers in car No. 11. Hot water was available to make tea and to cook noodles. Another attendant vacuumed the carpet in each cabin. A Russian passenger went down the aisle, graciously handing out ring-shaped bread snacks called sushki.

A few Mexican fans gathered in the car to sort out food options and broader implications of the World Cup. Mexico is considered by some to have a legitimate chance of winning the tournament. And the country was recently chosen as one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup.

Yet the team’s longtime star, Rafael Marquez, has been placed on a United States Treasury Department blacklist of people suspected of helping to launder money for drug cartels, which he has vehemently denied.

Then there are the internal tensions in Mexico, with its presidential election approaching on Sunday, and external tensions with the United States over trade and immigration.

“Things are not doing well,” said Edgar Bonfil, 49, Oscar’s brother and an executive for Pepsico in Mexico. “The World Cup is very positive for us. If we do well, it will show that we can do better things, not only with sports but in general.”

The lullaby rocking of sleep on the train gave way to a sunny and scorching Tuesday morning. Attendants cleaned the aisles and the toilets, and offered key chains, pens and pocketknives for sale. The land briefly opened and filled with wildflowers, similar to those that Swedes traditionally wear as crowns to celebrate the summer solstice.

In the early afternoon, the train stopped for half an hour in the town of Druzhinino. The temperature had been stifling in the upper bunks, and a number of passengers stood in the shade and ate ice cream.

“I’m ready to start feeling like a functioning human again,” said Mr. Dimitrov, the Swedish fan who owns an online business.

Finally, at 6 p.m., in a time zone two hours ahead of Moscow, Train No. 118 arrived in Yekaterinburg. Soccer is urgent at the moment, but mid-July will summon a notorious moment here from the Russian Revolution: the 100th anniversary of the killings of Czar Nicholas II, his wife, Alexandra, and their five children.

“In a way, that’s the reason I exist,” Mr. Dimitrov explained.

His mother, a tour guide, became enamored with the story of the imperial Romanovs, learned to speak Russian and Bulgarian and, on a trip to Sofia during the Communist era, met the man who became her husband and Mr. Dimitrov’s father.

Mr. Dimitrov said he planned to visit the Church on the Blood, built on the site where the Romanovs were executed in 1918. “The circle is complete,” he said.

Had his mother concentrated on romance languages and fallen in love with an Italian or a Frenchman, he added with a laugh, his life would be entirely different, but “we would have a few more World Cup titles” in the family.

Jeré Longman is sports reporter and best-selling author. He covers a variety of international sports, primarily those of the Olympics. He previously worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Dallas Times Herald and the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss. More about Jeré Longman

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Mexico’s Maya Train is destroying ancient caves. Learn about the beautiful ‘cenotes’ under threat

An intricate network of subterranean caverns, rivers and lakes wind almost surreptitiously beneath Mexico’s southern Yucatan peninsula. Now, construction of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s crown jewel project – the Maya Train – is rapidly destroying part of that hidden underground world, already under threat by development and mass tourism. (AP Video: Teresa de Miguel)

Engineer Guillermo D. Christy photographs a steel pillar filled with concrete that was installed inside the Aktun Tuyul cave system to support the Maya Train track on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Sunday, March 3, 2024. Construction of the Maya Train is rapidly destroying part of the hidden underground world of caverns and sinkhole lakes, known as cenotes, already under threat by development and mass tourism. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Railroad tracks extend in front of the windshield of a Maya Train traveling from Cancun to Valladolid, Mexico, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. When it’s completed, the high-speed Maya Train will wind around Mexico’s southern Yucatan peninsula. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Tourists wear decorative body paint at a bar on the edge of a cenote in Tulum, Mexico, Saturday, March 2, 2024. Construction of the Maya Train is rapidly destroying part of the hidden underground world of caverns and sinkhole lakes, known as cenotes, already under threat by development and mass tourism. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Cave diving instructor Peter Broger explores the “Jardin del Eden,” or Eden’s Garden cenote as rays of sunlight slice through the water near Tulum, Mexico, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. These glowing sinkhole lakes, known as cenotes, are a part of one of Mexico’s natural wonders: A fragile system of thousands of subterranean caverns, rivers, and lakes that wind beneath Mexico’s southern Yucatan peninsula.(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Friends and family butcher a pig for a birthday party celebration in the community of Jacinto Pat, tucked in a stretch of jungle in the southern Mexican coastal state, Quintana Roo, Saturday, March 2, 2024. Government officials have promised to bring communities electricity, a sewage system and running water, and agreed to pay more for the land the Mayan Train would pass over. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A girl rests at home next to the railway crossing of the Mayan Train project in the Mayan community “Vida y Esperanza,” or Life and Hope, on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Thursday, March 7, 2024. Government officials have promised to bring communities electricity, a sewage system and running water, and agreed to pay more for the land the Mayan Train would pass over. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Tourists wade in the waters of the cenote “Jardin del Eden,” or Eden’s Garden, near Tulum, Mexico, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. These glowing sinkhole lakes, known as cenotes, are a part of one of Mexico’s natural wonders: A fragile system of thousands of subterranean caverns, rivers, and lakes that wind beneath Mexico’s southern Yucatan peninsula. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A line of the Mayan Train is built using material dug out from the nearby tropical forest near Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Friday, March 1, 2024. When it’s completed, the high-speed Maya Train will wind around Mexico’s southern Yucatan peninsula. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Biologist Roberto Rojo, left, collects garbage from a cenote with a volunteer from the group “Cenotes Urbanos,” or Urban Cenotes, a local environmental organization in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Saturday, March 2, 2024. These glowing sinkhole lakes, known as cenotes, are a part of one of Mexico’s natural wonders: A fragile system of thousands of subterranean caverns, rivers, and lakes that wind beneath Mexico’s southern Yucatan peninsula. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Mayan Train worker waits for passengers to board in Cancun, Mexico, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. When it’s completed, the high-speed Maya Train will wind around Mexico’s southern Yucatan peninsula. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

AKTUN TUYUL CAVE SYSTEM, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s outgoing leader has rapidly built a train system looping around the country’s southern Yucatan Peninsula.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador promised the more than $30 billion Maya Train project would connect tourist hubs like Cancún and Playa del Carmen to dense jungle and remote archaeological sites, drawing money into long-neglected rural swathes of the country.

But the crown jewel of the populist’s presidency also runs over one of Mexico’s natural wonders: A fragile system of an estimated 10,000 subterranean caverns, rivers, lakes, and freshwater sinkholes.

As his term comes to an end, Associated Press journalists traveled along a section of that cave network, documenting its destruction.

BUILT UPON A ‘FRAGILE’ AND IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEM

The cave system contains one of the biggest aquifers in Mexico and acts as the region’s main water source, crucial at a time when the nation faces a deepening water crisis.

The region was once a reef nestled beneath the Caribbean Sea, but changing sea levels pushed Mexico’s southern peninsula out of the ocean as a mass of limestone. Water sculpted the porous stone into caves over the course of millions of years.

It produced the open-face freshwater caverns known as “cenotes” and underground rivers that are in equal parts awe-inspiring and delicate, explained Emiliano Monroy-Ríos, a geologist at Northwestern University studying the region.

“These ecosystems are very, very fragile,” Monroy-Ríos said. “They are building upon a land that is like gruyere cheese, full of caves and cavities of different sizes and at different depths.”

THE DESTRUCTION

The train has sparked criticism by environmentalists and scientists as its construction plowed down millions of trees, a chunk of the largest tropical forest in the Americas after the Amazon.

But the caves rose to the forefront in recent months when experts who have long worked in the caves posted videos of government workers using massive metal drills to bore into the limestone, embedding an estimated 15,000 steel pillars into the caverns.

The pillars were made to elevate the train line, something López Obrador said would protect the ancient underground world, already under threat by mass tourism.

Instead, what the AP documented was destruction.

Across the cave system, stalactites broken off by vibrations from train construction litter the ground like rubble following an earthquake. In other caverns, the concrete filling the pillars has spilled out to coat the limestone ground. Water showed traces of iron pollution by rust coming from the metal.

The destruction ripples out to the rest of the ecosystem, the AP found, as the fresh water aquifer connects to Caribbean Sea.

A POLITICAL PROMISE, BUT ALSO A POLITICAL PROCESS

López Obrador, who has portrayed himself as a champion of Mexico’s long-forgotten poor, has declared the train “our legacy of development for the southeast of Mexico.”

The populist has fast-tracked construction of the train to try to keep promises to complete it before June elections, something appears all but impossible.

The government has dodged oversight, ignored court orders, employed the Mexican military in its construction and blocked the release of information in the name of “natural security.” In a violation of Mexican law, the administration also didn’t carry out a comprehensive study to assess the potential environmental impacts before starting construction.

The moves he’s made have only deepened his ongoing clashes with the country’s judiciary, further fueling criticisms that his government is undermining democratic institutions.

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Mexican Train Dominoes To Go

About this item.

• Contains 91 double 12 numbered dominoes, 8 glitter train markers, centerpiece, rules for Mexican Train Dominoes, Chickenfoot, Solitaire and Straight Dominoes
• University Games is proud to be the the official dominoes used for tournaments around the world!
• For 1-8 Players,ages 6 and up
• New fun size
• 91 dominoes
• Travel case
• Tons of replay value

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Product information

Product description.

Play the domino games you love anywhere with Dominoes To Go from University Games! Dominoes is a fun and easy to learn game that strengthens math skills. This classic set of dominoes includes 28 professional size double 6 dominoes with black dots. Stored in a convenient travel compact the dominoes also come with instructions for 7 games including Moon, Muggins and 42. University Games is proud to be the official dominoes used for tournaments around the world. For 1-8 players, ages 6 and up.

From the Manufacturer

D12, Number Domineosin sturty travel case. Included 91 Fun Size Dominoes and glitter train markers.

From the manufacturer

About University Games:

University Games features exciting, original games for kids and grown-ups. Creative gameplay and quality components are our standard, but that's not all we offer. We offer party games that are perfect to play with the whole family, as well as several titles that are ideal for a rowdy evening with your adult friends! So spend time with us and you can have a great time with the family, get to know the neighbors or even learn how to read!

Mexican Train Dominoes To Go take up less space on your table and allow more room for snacking and sipping! The Fun Size tiles are high-quality, made to stand-up like regular size dominoes and handle well for all ages. They are easy to read, weigh less, store better, and are great for travel and vacations too!

Fun for 1 to 8 players, recommended for ages 6 and up.

Contents include:

• 91 Double 12 Dominoes
• 8 Glitter Train Markers
• Mini-Centerpiece
• Storage Case
• Rules for 4 Games

Play the Domino Game You Love Anywhere You Go!

What's in the box

Looking for specific info, customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the size, ease of use, readability, and portability of the tabletop game. For example, they mention it's small enough to fit in their suitcase, it'll keep their mind off of the road, and it'd be a great game to take with them on a cruise. That said, opinions are mixed on quality and color.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the size of the game. For example, they say it's small enough to fit in a suitcase, great travel size, and easy to handle. That said, some say the numbers are big enough to see. Overall, most are happy with the size and recommend it for travel.

"...This one is a nice size with a great set of instructions. Other sets that our family/friends have include instructions that are a little confusing...." Read more

"...However, they are big enough to easily handle and the numbers are big enough to see clearly & easy to read. Perfect for small tables or space...." Read more

"...These easily fit in a suitcase without taking up much room, and the case is packed tight and well for saving room...." Read more

"...the length & width reduction of the tiles, but the travel version tiles are still good sized ...." Read more

Customers find the game really fun, great, and addictive. They say it's a good family game that keeps their minds off pain. Customers also mention that it'll be a great game for young and old alike, and that they're pleased with the entire set.

"...These instructions make sense. I love the case and the tiles have numerals (not dots) that have different colors for each number." Read more

"...This is a very nice mini Mexican Train set for traveling or if you use a smaller table as your game table...." Read more

"...This makes the set useless of course but it is a really nice set . small tiles big number so easy to read...." Read more

"...I got the corrected domino in two weeks and am very pleased with the entire set !" Read more

Customers find the numbered tiles in the game easy to read and match. They also say the game is fun and easy for all ages.

"...This one is a nice size with a great set of instructions . Other sets that our family/friends have include instructions that are a little confusing...." Read more

"...We bring our own trays. Everything goes into it easily . There is NO BLACK train so you have to remember which is the train, no big deal." Read more

"...They are easy to handle and read . They are thick and durable. I’m very happy with this purchase!" Read more

"... small tiles big number so easy to read . Perfect for travel which is why we ordered it...." Read more

Customers find the game great for travel, with a zippered cloth case. They also say it's easy to tote anywhere and great for camping.

"This a good travel version of the popular Mexican Train domino game. It weights 1.75 lb compared to the full set of 4.25 lb - a 60% reduction...." Read more

"...Check it out and Yay, it is complete and correct. Perfect set for travel ... couldn't be happier. Thank you Amazon... fantastic service...." Read more

"These are perfect for traveling . Took them on a cruise, easy to read and don't take up much room in the suitcase." Read more

"... Perfect for trips . I bought another set to stick in the travel bag." Read more

Customers find the numbers on the tiles easy to see and color coded. They also appreciate the engraved and color-coded numbers that won't wear off.

"... Love the numbers versus dots . This is going to be to so great in round seven when I am drunk and can't tell a nine from an eleven...." Read more

"...The numbers on these dominoes are colorful and the numbers are indented into the domino , not painted on the surface where..." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the quality of the tabletop game. Some mention that the trains are well made, sturdy, and substantial, while others say that it's not good quality, defective, and the hub is very cheap.

"...They are easy to handle and read. They are thick and durable . I’m very happy with this purchase!" Read more

"...I'll keep you updated.The little carrying case is sturdy with formed sides but is not too rigid...." Read more

"...weekly game of Mexican Train but, as has happened to others, this set is defective ...." Read more

"...my least favorite one with when traveling.The carry case seems to be well-made with two zippers at opposite ends that meet in the middle...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the color of the tabletop game. Some mention that the colors are great, the trains are similar, and easy to match. However, some customers say that some of the numbers' colors are the same or nearly so, and some dominoes lose their color.

"...The numbers on these dominoes are colorful and the numbers are indented into the domino, not painted on the surface where..." Read more

"...The 6's and 9's are very distinguishable . Both families are addicted! Very compact and safe for travel." Read more

"...There are 2 dominoes that the color was a little off , but it's not noticeable unless you're really paying attn to the colors...." Read more

"...But it's also easy to match the colors . Another concern I had was they may not stand up well. But they stand up fine." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the missing or duplicate pieces in the tabletop game. They mention that they don't have all the pieces. Some customers also mention that the entire set of 11's was missing.

"... Trays are not included , no problem. We bring our own trays. Everything goes into it easily...." Read more

"...started playing halfway through the game found out we were missing titles . Then we found out there was 5 of the same tiles" Read more

"...The set I received is missing the double nine domino - instead, it had two 8/9 dominoes, one of which was painted the color for the double nine!..." Read more

"...game for about a month but just recently realized that there is a duplicate tile and a missing tile...." Read more

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