Mexican Train Dominoes is the newest Sun City Charter Club.
The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from his or her hand onto one or more chains, or trains, emanating from a central hub or station. The game’s most popular name comes from a special optional train that belongs to all players.
Vicki Goldberg started the wheels rolling to start the club two years ago, but the wheels fell off as Covid restrictions stopped its progress.
Goldberg said, “I learned about Mexican Train Dominoes after moving to Sun City about 10 years ago. I spent much of my life before Sun City in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago, where Mexican Train Dominoes was unheard of. I played Mexican Train a few times locally, after moving here, and taught it to my grandkids, and other friends and family, but never was a frequent player of the game.”
The name of game has nothing to do with Mexico. It is believed to be inspired by several Chinese domino games. One is the game of Tien Gow, also called Heaven-Nine, which was standardized in 1120 A.D. The more recent Chinese domino game of Chicken Foot also is considered an inspiration. Mexican Train as we know it today was developed by Roy and Katie Parsons from Newport Coast, California in 1994.
Goldberg said, “About two years ago I got the idea that Mexican Train Dominoes was something that many Sun City residents would enjoy and was missing from our Charter Club roster. A Mexican Train Dominoes group here at Sun City Huntley would be the first new Charter Club in 9 years. I didn’t act on my thoughts immediately, but shortly thereafter began to explore the process of adding a new Charter Club to our than 43 Clubs already functioning.”
Mexican Train Charter Club Officers (L to R, Back) Marsha Natkins, Treasurer, Stella Marschak, Secretary, Vicki Goldberg, Vice President. (Front) Lynne Shkolnik, President.
What did Goldberg have to do to get the club started?
Goldberg said, “Little did I know about things like establishing by-laws, meeting with the person in charge of the President’s Council, and lots more in the start-up process. I was advised it could take three or more months for approval and meetings to begin. This was the end of November 2019. During the approval process, I decided to begin meetings to play Mexican Train Dominoes, off-site, at the Heartland Bank in Huntley. We began to meet twice a month shortly after the beginning of 2020. We were approved to begin on-site at the February 2020 Sun City board meeting. I arranged to start our meetings at Prairie Lodge in the Hickory Room on March 13, 2020. We were all set to go! We had about 50 or so interested players. We went on Pandemic Lockdown that week.”
When were they able to start in Sun City?
Goldberg said, “We sat until the end of May 2021 riding out the various reopening Illinois phases until we got to the Phase 5 bridge. This allowed us to open with some CDC restrictions on June 2. I am thrilled to say that we have more than 60 paid members and in addition, an interested list of close to 40 more. At only our third meeting, we had 50 plus players. My thoughts have become a reality. Our current board members include Lynne Shkolnik, President, Vicki Goldberg, Vice President, Marsha Natkins, Treasurer, and Stella Marschak, Secretary. Without their help, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Pam Hendrix, a member of the club, said, “I always loved playing dominoes as a kid & got my 1st Mexican Train set as a gift many years ago. I was thrilled when my neighbor, Vicki Goldberg, decided to start a Charter Club here in Sun City! The game is fun & easy to learn. It’s a lighthearted game where you can still be social, even while playing…I love to laugh! Now that pandemic restrictions have allowed us to play again and the word is out about how much fun the game is, the club is growing in numbers. We may need a larger room soon.”
Eileen Sutker, new to the game said, “Being a relatively new player, the experienced staff and fellow players helped me learn how to play the game. You can say they ‘Mexican Trained’ me. It was an enjoyable experience.”
Ken Sutker, said, “The game is a mix of strategy and luck. I enjoyed the challenge. Mexican Train is a game where scoring zero makes you a winner. I had a good time.”
The charter club meets in the Oak/Elm at Meadow View Lodge on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. For membership contact Vicki Goldberg at vickibgoldberg@gmail.com.
