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Level 1
Open 45

Roll the dice, then shut open tiles that add up to the roll. When nothing fits, your round ends and the open tiles are your score: lowest wins. Shut every tile to shut the box and win at once.

Shut the Box game cover

Shut the Box

Board · Roll two dice and flip down tiles that add up. Shut every tile to win at once.

Play Shut the Box free online: roll two dice and flip down tiles that add up to the roll, until nothing fits. The tiles left open are your score, so lower is better, and shutting every tile wins at once. Play a solo round, take on Hops and friends, pass the phone, play online or try today's Daily dice.

How to play

  1. Roll the dice. While any of the tiles 7 and up are still open you roll two dice; once they are all shut you can choose one die or two.
  2. Tap open tiles that add up exactly to the roll, using as many tiles as you like (a 9 can be 9, 8+1, 5+4 or 6+2+1).
  3. Roll again and keep shutting. When no open tiles add up to your roll, your round is over.
  4. Your score is the sum of the tiles still open. Everyone plays one round and the lowest score wins.
  5. Shut every tile and you shut the box: a score of 0 and an instant win. The long box has tiles 1 to 12 for a harder game.

Tips to win

  • Shut the high tiles first. A 9 or an 8 can only be shut by a big roll, while low tiles can be combined in many ways.
  • When a roll gives you a choice, keep your open tiles spread out, so more of the next rolls still fit.
  • Once the 7, 8 and 9 are down, roll one die whenever your open tiles are all 6 or lower: small totals fit far more often.
  • Count what's left: a round that ends on 4 beats one that ends on 12, so even when you can't shut the box, every tile counts.
  • Stuck? Tap Teach me: Hops shows the best tiles for your roll and says how often your next roll will still fit.

Guides

Questions

How do you play Shut the Box?

Roll two dice and shut open tiles that add up to the total, using one tile or several. Keep rolling until nothing fits. The tiles left open are your score, and the lowest score wins.

When can you roll one die?

On GameLake you may roll one die once the 7, 8 and 9 are all shut (and the tiles above them in the long box). Before that you always roll two.

What does shutting the box mean?

It means shutting every tile. Your score is 0 and you win the game straight away, whatever the others score.

What is the best strategy?

Shut the highest tiles you can, keep a spread of numbers open, and switch to one die once only small tiles are left. Teach me shows the best move for any roll.

Can I play Shut the Box with friends?

Yes. Pass the phone for 2 to 4 players on one screen, or choose Online and send a link. You can also play Hops and his friends, or a solo round.