Double-12 vs Double-15 Dominoes: Which Mexican Train Set to Buy
Quick answer
Buy a double-12 set (91 tiles) for Mexican Train with two to eight players: it is the standard set, and a full game is 13 rounds. Choose double-15 (136 tiles) only if you regularly have nine or more players, or you want a longer game of 16 rounds. Double-15 tiles go up to 15 spots, so many sets print numbers instead of dots.
The rules of Mexican Train are the same whatever set you use: start from the engine double, build your own train, play on the Mexican Train, satisfy every double. What the set changes is how many people can play, how long a game lasts and how hard the tiles are to read.
Double-12 vs double-15 at a glance
| Double-12 | Double-15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles in the box | 91 | 136 |
| Highest tile | 12-12 | 15-15 |
| Rounds in a full game | 13 (12-12 down to 0-0) | 16 (15-15 down to 0-0) |
| Comfortable players | 2 to 8 | 9 to 12 |
| Tiles that carry each number | 13 | 16 |
| Spots or numbers | Usually spots, often colored by number | Often printed numbers |
| Weight to carry | Lighter | About half again as heavy |
| Our pick for most families | Yes | Only for big groups |
Why double-12 is the standard
A double-12 set gives every player a decent hand and still leaves a boneyard to draw from, from two players up to eight. Pagat.com deals it like this, which is also what our online Mexican Train uses:
| Players | Tiles each | Left in the boneyard |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 15 | 60 |
| 3 | 15 | 45 |
| 4 | 15 | 30 |
| 5 | 12 | 30 |
| 6 | 12 | 18 |
| 7 | 10 | 20 |
| 8 | 10 | 10 |
The boneyard is what’s left of the 91 tiles after the engine double is set in the hub and the hands are dealt. With eight players it’s down to ten, so players start running out of draws. That’s the moment a double-15 set starts to make sense.
When double-15 is worth it
- Nine or more players. Wikipedia lists double-15 for 9 to 12 Mexican Train players. With 136 tiles you can deal everyone a real hand and still keep a boneyard.
- You want a longer evening. Sixteen rounds instead of thirteen is about a quarter longer.
- Everyone at the table can read 13, 14 and 15 quickly. Counting fifteen spots on half a tile is slow, which is why many double-15 sets print numerals. If your group prefers spots, double-12 is kinder.
The deal for double-15 isn’t standardized; the sheet in each box differs. Whatever you choose, leave at least 20 tiles in the boneyard.
- Double-12 engine
- Double-15 engine
- 12-9
- 15-13
Tips for choosing a set
- Look for colored spots. Many double-12 sets color each number differently (all 9s one color, all 11s another), so you can match by color first and confirm by counting.
- Check the size of the tiles. Bigger, thicker tiles are easier to pick up from a flat table, especially for stiff fingers.
- Get a hub and train markers. Most sets include a hub with a slot for the engine double and one for each train, plus little train markers for players who are stuck.
- Keep score on paper. Lowest total after the last round wins. Our Mexican Train score sheet has rows for all 13 rounds.
Not sure how many dominoes are in other sets? See how many dominoes are in a set for every size from double-6 to double-18, or learn the game step by step with Mexican Train rules.
Games in this article
Mexican Train
2+ players · 45 min · Easy to learn
Dominoes for the whole family. Build your train, play on the doubles.
Questions people ask
How many dominoes are in a Mexican Train set?
The usual Mexican Train set is double-twelve, with 91 dominoes. Double-fifteen sets have 136 and double-nine sets 55.
How many people can play Mexican Train with a double-12 set?
Two to eight comfortably. Pagat.com's rules also allow nine or ten with 8 tiles each, though the boneyard gets small. For nine or more, a double-15 set is more comfortable.
How many rounds are in Mexican Train with double-15 dominoes?
Sixteen: one round for each double, from 15-15 down to 0-0. A double-12 game has 13 rounds and double-9 has 10. Many families play fewer rounds when time is short.
How many dominoes does each player get with a double-15 set?
There is no single standard; the rules sheets that come with double-15 sets differ. A good rule of thumb is to deal so that at least 20 tiles are left in the boneyard, so players can still draw when they are stuck.
Do double-15 dominoes fit a double-12 hub?
A Mexican Train hub has a slot for each player's train plus the Mexican Train, and tile sizes vary between makers. Check the number of slots and the tile width before buying a hub separately.