This week I want to take a look at another game which I’ve played a fair amount, and yet somehow never got around to including here.
Dominoes are not so much a game themselves, as pieces which are used as the basis of a myriad of games, known more widely than Mexican Train.
I have to admit as I prepared to write this I was surprised to find the game has quite recent roots given dominoes go back decades.
Designed by Roy Parsons and Katie Parsons, Mexican Train was released only in 1994.
The recent creation of the game, and its popularity today tells a lot about the game.
Granted the game tends to be most popular with older players, who no doubt find it enjoyable as a social game which can be played by up to eight players.
Apparently in many retirement communities the game is played a lot, and with good reason.
Dominoes by nature last, so the game travels well.
It is also widely available with most large department stores carrying the game.
Now mix in simple rules, although there are variations depending on the source of the rules, or local adjustments.
Still, in general terms players take a set number of dominoes, and must play them out onto either their own train, or those ‘not owned by any one player’. When one player manages to play all their dominoes, the others count the points they have in their hand.
Games are played over a pre-determined number of rounds, with the player accumulating the fewest points the winner.
There are a few more details within the rules, but it is about as simple as you can get which makes it a great social game.
The shortfall here is that the strategy of the game is extremely narrow, with players having rather limited choices each turn.
If you are looking for a challenging game with depth and difficult choices to make, well Mexican Trains is not that.
It is in fact the complete opposite, with simplicity at its heart, meaning relax, kibitz with fellow players, and hope you pull the right dominoes to win.
As a game among friends it’s difficult to beat a night of Mexican Trains.
