Mexico
Also known as: Mexican, 21
Roll 2 dice and read them as a two-digit number (highest first). Lowest roller loses a life.
What You'll Need
About This Game
Roll 2 dice and read them as a two-digit number (highest first). Lowest roller loses a life.
How to Play
**Setup:** Two dice. Each player has 3 lives.
**Gameplay:**
- First player rolls both dice and reads them as a two-digit number (higher digit first)
- Example: rolling 4 and 2 = 42, not 24
- Player may reroll once or twice to improve
- Next player must beat that roll (with same number of rolls or fewer)
- Lowest roller loses a life
**Special Rolls:**
- 2-1 = "Mexico" - highest roll, beats everything
- Doubles are ranked: 6-6 > 5-5 > 4-4 > 3-3 > 2-2 > 1-1
- Doubles beat non-doubles
**Winning:** Last player with lives remaining wins.
History & Background
Mexico is a traditional dice game with murky origins, likely developing in Latin America or along trade routes in the 19th century. The name comes from the highest roll: 2-1, read as "21" or "Mexico" (possibly from "veintiuno").
The game became popular among sailors, soldiers, and travelers because it requires only two dice and can be played quickly anywhere. Its elimination format makes it ideal for groups deciding who pays for drinks or other stakes.
Mexico spread throughout Europe and the Americas via maritime routes. Different regions developed variants with different roll rankings and special rules.
The game's genius is its simple hierarchy that any player can memorize: Mexico (2-1) beats pairs, pairs beat regular rolls, and regular rolls are read as two-digit numbers. This creates a pure bluffing game when played with hidden dice, or a tense elimination game when played open.