Private Trains (domino game)

Private Trains, also known as Domino Trains, is a simple domino game, which can utilize any of the five domino sets, although the larger sets significantly increase the length of the game. The basic objective of Trains is that players must match their dominos in numeric sequence. The object of the game is to have as few points as possible at the end of each round. The game is closely akin to Mexican train. A variation of the game is Chicken Foot

The deal and starting out

The game starts with the highest or lowest double of the set, and then each hand after goes either up or down (18 would be followed by 17, then 16; blanks would be followed by 1s, then 2s, etc),. This is placed in the middle of the playing area. Then, the players draw the agreed upon amount of dominos from the boneyard. For four players and under, the convention is to draw a domino for each denomination. In Double 9s, 10 dominos would be drawn; in double 12s, 13 would be drawn; double 15s, 16 would be drawn, and double 18s, 19 would be drawn. However, the total number drawn can be varied to suit the players. On the first hand, the first player is determined by who has the highest value single domino in that hand.

Basic gameplay

Players begin their own respective trains from the lead double in the central playing area. Players then must match up their respective dominos to follow a train, with the lead tile of the train matching whatever double is currently being used. The order of play goes in either clockwise or counterclockwise fashion depending on the preference of the players, with the players laying down one domino per turn, save in the case of doubles, when it is two tiles.

If players cannot progress on their own private train, they must draw one domino from the boneyard. If players are still unable to play upon their private train, they must place a marker, commonly a coin, on that train to mark it as being open to all players. Until the player can make a valid move, he or she must continue to draw one domino each time it is his or her turn. Once players draw the required domino to resume play on their private train, they must remove their marker from their train before the end of their turn, indicating the train as no longer being available for general play by anyone. If they fail to remove their marker, the train must remain open until the player’s next turn, when he or she is again allowed to remove the marker.

Doubles, when played, must be followed with an additional valid tile. If players place doubles on their own trains, then they don't have the obligation to play an additional tile. Instead, players can place a tile on Mexican train if they have a matching tile. The next player now has the obligation to satisfy that double. If players use doubles and do not have additional tiles to match the doubles they played, they must draw a domino from the boneyard. If the players are still unable to play upon the doubles they have laid down, they cannot lay any additional tiles down on any open trains, even if there is an available play. Playing a double and a corresponding tile to that double is the only way to play two tiles in one turn. A possible exception arises when a player has played a double and is unable to follow with an appropriately numbered domino. After drawing the penalty tile, if the player obtains another double that is valid, he or she may lay that down; however, he or she must follow that double up as well, and must draw if he or she cannot comply.

Optional Rule

If a double is played and the person cannot finish the play, all other plays are suspended for all players, and it is the responsibility of the next player to finish the already played double. If the next player cannot play upon the double, he or she must draw. If he or she is still unable to take their turn, then the subsequent player must attempt to play on the double, and so on, until the double has been played upon successfully.

coring and round completion

The round is finished when a player runs out of dominos and can no longer play, known as "going out". Afterward, the remaining dominos' pips in the other players’ hands are counted as points; the double blank counts for 50 points. If no player can go out, the points in each person’s hand are count; whoever has the fewest points leads the next round. This cycle is continued until the players go through the full domino set, and whoever has the least points wins the game.