Edition: Common Danish version (Mexicaner) with 2 dice, up to 3 rolls and 6 lives per player. Last checked October 25, 2026
Mexico Dice Game Rules: How to Play Mexicaner
Mexico, called Mexicaner in Denmark, is a fast dice game with two dice where the goal is simply not to roll the lowest score of the round. It is a favorite at Danish parties and family tables. Here are the roll rankings and the rules that cause the most debate.
- Players
- 2 to 8
- Age
- 7 and up
- Playing time
- 15 to 30 minutes
How to win: Avoid rolling the lowest score in each round. The last player with lives left wins.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Mexico (Mexicaner dice game).
What happens when two players tie for the lowest roll?
It depends.
There is no shared official rule. The usual fix is that the two players roll again and the lower roll loses.
In many homes both players lose a life. Agree on it before you start.
Can you roll more times than the starting player?
No.
The starting player sets the limit. If they rolled only 2 times, everyone else may roll at most 2 times.
Some groups give everyone 3 rolls no matter what the starting player did. That makes the game more random.
Does it cost double if several players roll Mexico in the same round?
It depends.
The most common rule is that the loser loses 2 lives, no matter how many Mexicos were rolled.
Some groups double the penalty for each Mexico, so two Mexicos cost 4 lives. Agree on it ahead of time.
Is 12 the same as 21?
Yes.
The dice are always read with the higher number first, so a 1 and a 2 is Mexico no matter which die shows which.
No common house rule changes this.
What you need
- 2 dice
- A dice cup
- One extra die per player to count lives, or paper and pencil
Setup
- 1Each player starts with 6 lives. Put an extra die showing 6 in front of each player, or keep track on paper.
- 2Pick a starting player, for example the youngest or whoever rolls highest.
- 3Play goes clockwise.
How to play
- 1The starting player rolls both dice and may roll up to 3 times. Only the last roll counts.
- 2The starting player sets the number of rolls for the round. If they stop after 1 roll, everyone else gets just 1 roll too.
- 3The other players take turns and may use no more rolls than the starting player did. They may stop sooner.
- 4Both dice are rerolled every time. You cannot keep one of them.
- 5Read the roll with the higher number first. A 6 and a 3 is 63.
- 6When everyone has rolled, the player with the lowest roll loses a life.
- 7If anyone rolled Mexico during the round, the player with the lowest roll loses 2 lives.
- 8The loser of the round starts the next round.
- 9A player with 0 lives is out. The last player with lives left wins.
Roll rankings from highest to lowest
- Mexico: a 2 and a 1. The best roll
- Doubles: 66, 55, 44, 33, 22, 11. Any double beats any regular roll
- Regular rolls: 65, 64, 63, 62, 61, 54, 53 and so on
- The lowest roll is 31
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Mexico (Mexicaner dice game) rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest roll in Mexico?
Mexico, which is a 2 and a 1. Next come the doubles from 66 down to 11, then the regular rolls from 65 on down.
How many lives do you get in Mexico?
The usual number is 6 lives per player, but you can easily agree on fewer for a shorter game.
Is Mexico the same as Mia or Meyer?
No. Both use two dice and have 21 as the best roll, but in Mia (called Meyer in Denmark) you hide your roll and may bluff. In Mexico everyone rolls in the open.
Source: Common Danish and European family tradition. The game has no single official version, so the rules vary. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.