Have you ever played a game of dominoes and thought, “What is this Mexican Train thing, and why is it called Mexican Train?” Well, you’re in luck, because today we dive into the world of dominoes and uncover the history and origin behind the surprisingly popular game of Mexican Train dominoes.
Mexican Train is an exhilarating, fun-filled and highly competitive game of dominoes that can be enjoyed by friends and family alike. So come join us in this exciting journey, as we explore why it is called Mexican Train dominoes – and discover a new favorite game for your next party or gathering!
Why is it Called Mexican Train Dominoes?
Mexican Train Dominoes is a popular game that can be played with two to eight players. It uses the traditional double-six dominoes set, which is a set of 28 domino tiles numerically ranked from 0-0 to 6-The game has a mild element of luck as well as a serious dose of skill and strategy, making it a fun pastime for children and adults alike. But why is it called Mexican Train Dominoes?
Origins of the Game
The game of Mexican Train Dominoes is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-1980s. It is thought to have been devised by the first players – two college students in Arizona.They based their game on the established domino-based game, Chicken Foot, which is itself a descendant of other earlier domino games. The addition of the ‘Mexican Train’ in the mid-1990s acted as the catalyst for the game’s surge in popularity worldwide.
The ‘Train’ Element
At its core, Mexican Train Dominoes is essentially focused around the idea of getting rid of all the tiles on your ‘train’ before your opponents.In this game, bridges are created from ‘train tracks’ leading from each player’s personal train (labeled with their initials or a symbol) to the Mexican Train, located in the center of the playing area. The Mexican Train acts as the central hub for all the players.
It is from this train that all the player’s sequential turns must begin.
The Mexican Connotation
So if the game is American in origin and the train element merely an alteration on ‘Chicken Foot’, then why is it called Mexican Train Dominoes? This is a common question that is asked by many people playing the game.The simple answer is that apart from sounding cool, the Mexican connotation adds a certain degree of ‘Latin flair’ to the game, making it stand out from the crowd. It also reflects the fact that other related domino games, such as Chicken Foot, have strong ties to Latin American culture.