Buying guide
The best Mexican Train sets
Mexican Train needs a double-twelve set (91 tiles), plus train markers and ideally a hub for the engine. These are our picks. We chose them from the product listings and the pattern in buyer reviews; we haven't played with every one.
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Quick picks
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Queensell D12 with 8 holders | Everything in one case |
| Cardinal aluminum-case set | The classic, most-reviewed set |
| Spin Master Double 12 tin | A budget set |
| CHH Double 12 Numeral | Numbers instead of dots |
| Queensell D15 with 8 holders | Big groups |
Our picks
Best overall
Queensell Mexican Train Set, Double 12 with 8 Holders
Everything in one aluminum case: 91 color-dot tiles, a wooden hub, 8 wooden tile holders and 9 trains.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Hub, markers and holders included, so nothing else to buy
- Buyers like the case and the holders
Keep in mind
- Some say the 6 and 8 dot colors are hard to tell apart
Most popular
Cardinal Mexican Train Dominoes in Aluminum Case
The classic set, with tens of thousands of reviews: 91 tiles, 9 trains and a score pad in an aluminum case.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Very well reviewed over many years
- Sturdy case
Keep in mind
- No hub in the box
- Buyers say the yellow and orange tiles look alike
Best on a budget
Spin Master Double 12 Dominoes in Storage Tin
91 color-dot tiles, a starter piece and 4 trains in a small tin.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Color-coded pips
- Compact tin
Keep in mind
- Only 4 trains and no hub or holders
- Rated a little lower than the aluminum-case sets
Best numeral tiles
CHH Double 12 Numeral Pro Size Set
Numbers instead of dots, on professional-size tiles, with a hub and markers for both Mexican Train and Chicken Foot.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- Numbers are quicker to read and count
- Chicken Foot markers included
- Buyers praise the aluminum case
Keep in mind
- The hub is plastic, not wood
Best for big groups
Queensell Mexican Train Set, Double 15 with 8 Holders
136 tiles, so a big table still gets a full hand, with a wooden hub, 8 wooden holders and an aluminum case like the double-twelve kit.
Check on AmazonWhy it’s here
- More tiles for more players
- Hub, holders and trains included
Keep in mind
- Mixed reports on color accuracy and the case
What to look for
A hub. It holds the engine double in the middle and keeps each train pointed at its player. You can play without one, but the table stays much neater.
Enough train markers. Each player needs a marker for their own train, and there's one more for the Mexican Train. Many sets include 8 or 9; some include only 4.
Colors you can tell apart. Color-coded pips help you match numbers at a glance, but some sets use two colors that look almost the same. If that bothers your table, choose numeral tiles.
Tile holders. Eight or more tiles are hard to hold in one hand. Holders keep them standing and hidden from the table.
Score Mexican Train with Pipside
Pipside keeps the running totals for all 13 rounds on one phone, so nobody needs a pencil.
See the Mexican Train score keeperCommon questions
- What set do you need for Mexican Train?
- A double-twelve set with 91 tiles, plus a train marker for each player and one for the Mexican Train.
- Do you need a hub to play Mexican Train?
- No. You can put the engine double in the middle of the table. A hub just keeps the trains tidy.
- Are numeral dominoes better than dots?
- They're faster to read and count, which helps kids, older players and anyone adding up a round. Dots are the classic look.
- How do you keep score in Mexican Train?
- Add the pips left in each hand after every round; the lowest total after 13 rounds wins. Pipside Pro keeps the totals for you; classic dominoes scoring stays free.