Answering A Double in Mexican Train Dominoes

I'm here to settle the score

There is no other topic that gets as many questions than answering a double.

Here’s the rules that we like but by no means does this mean this is the OFFICIAL RULES.

Remember, whoever is hosting train gets the final say since they are serving the drinks.

Q1 -WE PLAY AT OUR HOME RULES. IF WE ARE WRONG, WE NEED GUIDANCE…PLEASE HELP.

OUR PLAY IS THAT WE CAN OPEN (1ST MOVE) AS MUCH OR LITTLE OF OUR TRAIN AS WE LIKE. IF WE (YOU AND I) PLAY THE SAME GAME, HERE IS MY QUESTION: PLAYER 1 OPEN 2 TILES THE SECOND IS A DOUBLE AND HE CANNOT SATISFY IT. PLAYER 2 CANNOT SATISFY IT. PLAYER 3 HOWEVER CAN SATISFY, AND DOES. QUESTION, WAS PLAYER 1 SUPPOSED TO TAKE ANOTHER TILE IMMEDIATELY, OR DOES HE GET AWAY WITHOUT TAKING THE PENALTY TILE?

A1-When Player #1 can’t play on the double, they PICK A TILE. If by chance they pick a tile that satisfies the double (we call it a Golden Tile) then they put it down immediately. The play then proceeds to the next player until the double is satisfied (with one, three or five tiles)

Q2- Can I go out on a double if I don’t have a tile to answer it?

A2- This question was the source of great family conflict in the mild-mannered Schuff household. They actually broke out the rules, found a name on the instructions and called Giselle in Palm Springs ! Giselle states firmly that you must answer a double to go out.

This changes the strategy a great deal since you should try to hold a tile that coordinates with the double. OR be sure to play a double earlier if it doesn’t match anything in your hand, so you can go out. OR if it’s a low double, hang onto it to the end because it will be low points in your hand.

Send us your thoughts. We have found that Mexican train players aren’t shy !

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