Jaques of London Mexican Train Dominoes Game (Family Set) | Wooden Storage Box | Since 1795
Reviews
Product description
Key takeaways
Mexican Train Dominoes is one of those family board games that’s easy to understand, but still gives you plenty to think about once people get into the swing of it. This Jaques of London Mexican Train Dominoes Game is aimed at both children and adults, and it comes as a full set rather than a loose assortment.
On paper, the draw here is straightforward: bright, easy-to-match domino markings, a proper wooden storage box (so the pieces don’t end up everywhere), and comprehensive instructions so you’re not left guessing the rules. It also has that “presentable” angle—packaging is described as gift-ready, which matters if you’re buying for birthdays or family get-togethers rather than just adding another game to your shelf.
That said, it’s still a domino game: if you’re expecting complex, fast-paced strategy straight away, you may find it more relaxing and social than tactical. And if you don’t already enjoy tile-matching games, the novelty may wear off quicker than with story-driven board games.
The essentials
Mexican Train Dominoes are played with a standard set of Double Twelve dominoes, and this family set is described as containing 91 dominoes. The design uses bright coloured spots, specifically to make matching dominoes quicker “at a glance”. That matters in real play, especially with mixed ages at the table—fewer pauses to read the tiles.
For many households, the biggest practical question is simply: “Can we get started without a mini lesson?” Jaques includes comprehensive instructions in the box, which should help new (or returning) players get the game moving.
A typical first round feels like this: someone lays down an opening domino, then the turns flow as players match by number, building their own options and the shared lines (including the “train” concept). Within a couple of hands, most people usually settle into a rhythm—pick a playable tile, commit to the line you’re building, and keep an eye on what others might be able to take.
What stands out
What’s most likely to please here is the combination of usable, beginner-friendly visuals and a set that looks and feels complete.
The set comes in a wooden slide-lid storage box with Jaques branding, which is a small thing but a real one for day-to-day: it’s easier to keep the dominoes organised, and it doesn’t look like a bag of bits. The packaging is also described as gift-focused, including “historical tissue paper”, a gift box, and a luxury hand-tied ribbon.
Where it leans more “family board game” than “serious hobby” is the emphasis on ease of matching and clear instructions. If you’re buying for a group where not everyone already knows Mexican Train, that’s generally a strength.
What you’ll notice in use
Because the domino markings are bright and intended for quick matching, gameplay tends to be more fluid. Less time decoding tiles can mean more time actually playing—particularly useful if younger players are involved or if you’re rotating seats during family game nights.
The instructions are also called out as fully comprehensive, which is helpful if you haven’t played before. Still, do keep in mind that Mexican Train has rules and line setups that can vary in how people explain them at the start—so even with good instructions, it helps to read through once when you first open the box.
There’s also a mild limitation to acknowledge: as with any domino set, the game experience relies heavily on the number of players and the pace of the group. In very quiet, solo-focused sessions, it won’t feel the same as playing with others.
The essentials of choosing it
If you’re deciding between a basic domino set and a game designed specifically for Mexican Train, this is the more structured route: it’s presented as a complete set with guidance, and it’s aimed at both kids and adults.
This is a good fit if you want a family board game that’s: - easy to pick up for new players - friendly for mixed ages thanks to quick visual matching - neatly packaged for storage and gifting
It’s not the best match if you’re only interested in occasional, very casual domino play and you don’t want to learn the Mexican Train rules. Also, if you’re looking for heavy, competitive strategy, this may feel more like social entertainment than deep tactical puzzling.
Final verdict
Worth buying if your priority is a ready-to-play Mexican Train Dominoes family set with 91 Double Twelve tiles, bright at-a-glance matching, comprehensive instructions, and a wooden storage box that keeps things tidy.
You may want to skip it if you already own a Mexican Train-style set and mainly just need replacement tiles, or if you’re shopping for something more complex and less rule-based.
Tech specs
- Type: Dominoes game (Mexican Train)
- Format: Standard Double Twelve dominoes set
- Domino count: 91 dominoes
- Storage: Wooden slide lid storage box
- Visual aid: Bright coloured spots for easy matching at a glance
Mini FAQ
Is this suitable for children and adults?
The set is described as for both kids and adults, with an emphasis on easy matching and comprehensive instructions.
What domino set size is it based on?
It uses a standard Double Twelve dominoes set format.
How many dominoes are included?
The set includes 91 dominoes.
Does it include instructions?
Yes—comprehensive instructions for Mexican Train are included.
Is it good for gifting?
It’s described as gift-ready, with a wooden slide-lid box and additional gift packaging elements.