Shut the Box dice game started in the pubs of England. But don’t worry, Shut the Box is family friendly—there is no gambling or anything. In fact, it is a great game for kids of all ages, not only is it engaging, it is also a great way to sneak in some math practice-just like in Ohio, Pig and Seven Dice.
It is a game of luck and skill that can be played with any number of players, although 2 to 4 is best. As long as a player can do addition, they can play.
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What you need for Shut the Box Dice Game
First, you can buy commercial games for Shut the Box. These are beautiful wooden sets that have numbers that you flip over and a box where your dice are sure to stay put. You can shop for one here. Canadians can shop for Shut the Box here.
However, you don’t need to buy a game you can make your own or download our free Shut the Box play sheet in our Fun Library here. You can get your login in the black box below.
You will also need two dice and something to cross the numbers off with. We like to use Bingo chips. You might need a pen and paper to keep score with as well.
There are also many choices of game boards. The traditional game has the numbers from 1 to 9. However, there are games that go from 1 to 10, some that go to 11 and even more that go to 12. The game is played the same in all cases.
Set Up for Shut the Box
To start, all the numbers are visible. These numbers are considered open.
How to Play Shut the Box
On a player’s turn, she will roll both dice. Next, she adds the numbers together. Now she decides what numbers she will “shut” on the game board. The numbers do not need to be the same as the ones rolled, instead, they need to add up to the same amount.
For example, if she rolled a 6 and a 3 then she could shut the 6 and the 3. Or she could shut just the nine. Another option is to shut the 4 and 5. Or she could shut the 2, the 3 and 4. As long as the numbers that are being shut add up to the same amount that was rolled, the move is legal.
Once a number has been shut, it is unavailable for any future roll.
Next, she will roll the dice again and repeat the process of deciding what number to shut that add up to the same amount rolled.
Roll 2 could have 4 & 8 closed or the 9 and 3
When she can no longer shut numbers that add up to the amount, her turn is over. Her score is tally of all open numbers and is recorded. The dice and board are moved to the next player where all the numbers will be uncovered and open.
Scoring Shut the Box
The numbers that are left open at the end of a player’s turn are added together and that is the player’s score for the round.
Shutting the Box
When a player successfully closes all the numbers, it is said that they have shut the box and automatically win the round.
Winning Shut the Box
The player who has the lowest score is the winner of Shut the Box.
Variations
Just as there are more than one variation of game board—9, 10, 11 or 12 numbers—there are many variations of how to play Shut the Box.
Playing to 45
In this variation, scores are recorded after each round. When a player’s score adds up to 45 points, he is out of the game. The game continues until there is only one player left with a score under 45 points. That player would be the winner.
Shut the Box Duel
This variation is also known as the Long Game Shut the Box. This is a two player game. One player is rolling and trying to close all the numbers. On the other hand, the other player is rolling and trying to re-open all the numbers. The first player to either open or close all the numbers is the winner.
Line Scoring
In this Shut the Box game, the score is very different. Instead of adding up the open numbers at the end of the turn, they are read from left to right. So, if the 1, 4, and 8 are left open then the player’s score is 148. If the 2, 5, 7, 8 are left open the score is 2578. The player with the lowest score is the winner.
Math Teacher
Teacher love this variation as it is a great way to sneak in some math practice. It can be played with two or three dice. Simple addition can be used with the three dice. Another take on it could be to be allowed to add and subtract. Multiplication can also be used, maybe by multiply the first two dice and either adding or subtracting the third dice. The possibilities are endless. A math teacher’s dream.
Shut the Box with Cards
Instead of a Shut the Box board game, you can use playing cards. Simply, pull out the cards from 1 to 9 or 1 to the number you want to play with. Use a jack for 11 and a queen for 12. To shut a number, you can flip the card facedown. Play as you normally would.
Solo Shut The Box
To play by yourself, play as you would if you were playing against someone. Next, record your score and try to beat it.
Shut the Box on a Good Time
Shut the Box is a game of luck and skill and the feeling of accomplishment when you “Shut the Box” is incredible. Try all the variations to find your favorite and have a great time on the way to Shutting the Box.
Get your free game board in our Fun Library here click the black box below to get your password to get into all the fun.
If you’re looking for some more fun with dice, check out the games Stuck in the Mud, Mafia and Whacky Putt–the mini golf dice game.
Need some dice? Shop here. Canadians Shop here.
Be sure to read our other dice games for more fun.
And don’t forget our card games and reviews too.
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