How Many Tiles Are in a Mexican Train Game?
The number of tiles in a Mexican Train game isn't fixed; it depends on the number of players and the chosen tile set. However, a standard Mexican Train game uses a complete set of dominoes. Let's break down the tile count for various scenarios:
What's a Standard Domino Set?
A standard double-six domino set contains 28 tiles. Each tile shows two numbers, ranging from blank (0) to six, and every possible combination is included. This is the base set used in most Mexican Train games.
How Many Tiles Per Player?
While there's no fixed number of tiles per player, players typically start with a hand of a certain number of tiles from the boneyard (the remaining tiles after the initial layout). The starting hand size usually varies depending on the number of players:
- More players = fewer starting tiles to prevent the game from dragging on too long.
- Fewer players = more starting tiles for a longer, more strategic game.
You won't usually find games assigning a specific number of tiles based on player count in the official rules. Many game variations exist, and adjustments are often made based on preference.
How Many Tiles in Total for a Game?
If using a standard double-six domino set (28 tiles), the total number of tiles in a Mexican Train game remains 28, regardless of the number of players. The difference lies in how many tiles are in the boneyard and how many each player receives initially.
Are There Other Domino Sets?
Yes, Mexican Train games can be played with different domino sets, such as double-nine or double-twelve. These significantly increase the total number of tiles:
- Double-nine: 55 tiles
- Double-twelve: 91 tiles
Consequently, a game with a double-nine set would have 55 total tiles, and a double-twelve would use all 91 tiles. The number of starting tiles per player would likely adjust based on the larger set size.
How many tiles are typically left in the boneyard?
This fluctuates depending on how many tiles are dealt to the players. There's no set number; it's the remaining tiles after dealing to each player.
In conclusion, there's no single answer to "how many tiles in a Mexican Train game?". It depends on the domino set used. While a standard game uses a double-six set (28 tiles), larger sets are available, altering the total number significantly. The number of tiles dealt to each player at the start will also impact the number of tiles left in the boneyard, but the total number of tiles remains consistent with the chosen domino set.
