How to Play Shut the Box: Rules for Beginners
To play Shut the Box, roll two dice and flip down any open tiles that add up to the total: a roll of 8 can shut the 8, or 6 and 2, or 5, 2 and 1. Keep rolling until no open tiles add up to your roll; your score is the sum of the tiles still open, and the lowest score wins. Shut every tile and you win at once. Once the 7, 8 and 9 are down you may roll a single die.
What you need
A box of nine numbered tiles (1 to 9) and two dice. Play Shut the Box online and the box, dice and scoring are done for you.
- Any number of players take turns, one round each.
- All tiles start open (standing up).
- Each player plays until stuck, then the open tiles are counted.
A turn, step by step
- Roll both dice and add them up.
- Flip down any open tiles that add up to that total. One tile, two, three or four: it doesn't matter, as long as the sum is exact.
- Roll again and repeat.
- When no combination of open tiles adds up to your roll, your turn ends.
| Your roll | Ways to shut it (full box) |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4 · 3 + 1 |
| 7 | 7 · 6 + 1 · 5 + 2 · 4 + 3 · 4 + 2 + 1 |
| 8 | 8 · 7 + 1 · 6 + 2 · 5 + 3 · 5 + 2 + 1 · 4 + 3 + 1 |
| 12 | 9 + 3 · 8 + 4 · 7 + 5 · 9 + 2 + 1 … |
Rolling one die
Once the 7, 8 and 9 are all shut, the rest of the box adds up to 21 or less, and you may roll one die instead of two. With only small tiles left, one die is usually the better choice, because two dice can't roll a 1 and rarely roll a 2 or 3.
Scoring and winning
When your turn ends, add up the tiles still open: that's your score. Tiles 1, 2 and 4 left open score 7. After everyone has played, the lowest score wins.
If you shut every tile you have shut the box: you win the round at once with a score of 0.
Some players count the open tiles as a number instead (1, 2 and 4 open = 124). GameLake adds them up, the most common way.
Quick rules summary
| Rule | GameLake |
|---|---|
| Tiles | 1 to 9 |
| Dice | Two; one die once 7, 8 and 9 are shut |
| Tiles per roll | Any open tiles that add up exactly |
| End of turn | No open tiles add up to the roll |
| Score | Sum of open tiles, lowest wins |
| Shut the box | All tiles down: instant win |
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you shut the box?
You win straight away with a score of 0. With good play it happens in about 1 game in 10.
Can you shut more than two tiles at once?
Yes. Any number of open tiles works, as long as they add up exactly to your roll: a 10 could be 4 + 3 + 2 + 1.
When can you roll one die?
When the 7, 8 and 9 are all shut. You can still choose two dice if you prefer.
How many people can play Shut the Box?
Any number, one after another. On GameLake you can play alone, against Hops, with friends on one device, or with up to four people online.