Dominoes Tournament Rules

Mexican Train Dominoes Tournament Rules & Regulations

Tournament Format:

This event is played as a single game, accumulative score tournament using a modified swiss round pairing system.

  • Players will play a total of 13 “hands” reporting their score to the TO after each hand is completed. 

  • Based on their accumulated score, players will be reseated at a new table for each hand

  • Once all 13 hands have been played the top 3 players will be awarded prizing

  • Prizing is to be determined by the TO and may be based on the number of players in attendance. Prizing will be announced prior to the start of round 2

  • This is a non elimination tournament. Players are permitted to “Drop” from the event at the end of any hand, but no player will be eliminated from the event based on standings.

  • Players are required to adhere to the code of conduct while participating in this event(this code of conduct may be found at frugaldutchman.com)


Tournament Rules of Play

Beginning the round:

  • Seating: The Player with the lowest current score at the table will be seated 1st, players will then seat clockwise in ascending order by current total score. Player 1 at each table will be the first to play and play will progress clockwise.


  • Once players have been seated at their designated table the TO will draw a random double, this will be the starting tile for the hand. Each double will be played only once throughout the event.


  • Play begins with each player drawing 12 tiles

  • The first player may then play a tile with a number matching the starting double to open either their own train or an open track.

  • Play then proceeds in a clockwise fashion with each player playing one tile or two in the case of a double.

  • If a player is unable to make a play then they must draw a tile. If after drawing they are still unable to play then they must open their train for other players to play on it by placing their marker on their train.

  • If a player plays a double and cannot satisfy the double they must draw a tile. If still unable to satisfy the double they must open their train and play passes to the next player and so on until the double is satisfied, each player opening their track if they fail to satisfy the double.

  • If the double is unable to be satisfied the hand ends in an “Open Double” all players score their remaining tiles

  • In order to “close” or “Lock Down” their track a player must play a tile on their track while it is open, then remove their marker from their track.

  • If a player forgets to remove their marker from their track on their turn, they must leave it on their track and other players can play on their track until their turn comes around again. The player must remove their marker at that time. 

  • On their turn, when a player has only one domino remaining in their hand, this player must double tap their last domino to alert the other players that they may go out on the next round. If the player forgets to tap before the next player completes their turn, they must draw a tile from the bone yard.

  • If the last tile played is a double, it does not need to be satisfied.

  • Multi-track doubles:both sides of a double may be played throughout the hand.

    • When satisfying a double, the player will choose one side of the double to play their tile on. 

    • In subsequent rounds a tile may be played on the open side of a double following all other rules for playing a tile.

    • Each double only has two sides to play from.

Scoring:

  • When a player goes out, the other players lay their dominoes face up in front of them to count them. Except for the double blank which counts 50, all the dominoes count the face value on them. The number of dots on the dominoes left in his hand is the player's score for that game.

  • The player to go out at each table is give a score of -25points

  • Scores must be recorded by the TO before any player is permitted to leave the table.


Penalties:

Infractions do happen and can happen to anyone. The TO’s primary responsibility is to maintain a fun and fair environment for all players. In order to maintain fairness occasionally a TO may need to issue a penalty to a player. Receiving a penalty is not an accusation of cheating or intentional wrongdoing but rather a means to balance the fairness of the game to all players. The game state is the most important thing to preserve and often if a gamestate can be repaired to where the infraction was made the penalty will be minimal. Should a gamestate be broken beyond repair the penalty may end up being more severe. The TO will use their best judgement to determine if a penalty is required and what severity to issue. Penalties can take the form of added points, forcing the draw of tiles or other means that are deemed appropriate. 

Punctuality:

Players are expected to be present at the table at the start of each hand. Arriving after the hand has been officially started may result in a 5 point penalty for every minute the player is late. If a player is more than 10 minutes late to a hand the table will proceed without them. In addition to the 50 point penalty the player will also score equal to the highest hand at their table at the end of that round. Should a player not appear by the start time of their next hand they will be automatically dropped from the tournament.