Roll the dice to begin!
Game Info
- Roll the dice
- Select tiles that add up to the dice sum
- Click "CONFIRM SHUT" to close them
- Repeat until all tiles are closed (WIN) or you can't make a move (LOSE)
If the sum of remaining open tiles is 6 or less, you can choose to roll 1 die instead of 2.
If you roll an 8, you can select: [8], [1+7], [2+6], [3+5], [1+2+5], or [1+3+4]
📖Shut the Box Rules
Shut the Box is a classic pub dice game where players try to flip down all numbered tiles (1-9) by rolling dice and selecting combinations of tiles that sum to the dice total.
The game has a long history, with origins possibly dating back to 12th century Normandy or the Channel Islands. It became popular in English pubs and was the basis for the American TV game show "High Rollers" hosted by Alex Trebek.
🎮How to Play
Setup
All tiles numbered 1 through 9 start in the "open" (up) position.
Gameplay
- Roll the dice: Roll 2 dice (or 1 die if the sum of open tiles is 6 or less)
- Select tiles: Choose any combination of open tiles that add up exactly to the dice sum
- Shut tiles: Click "CONFIRM SHUT" to close the selected tiles
- Repeat: Continue rolling and shutting tiles until you win or lose
Winning
WIN: Close all tiles (score 0). This is called "Shut the Box" - you win immediately!
Losing
LOSE: If you roll a number and no combination of remaining open tiles can equal that sum, the game ends. Your score is the sum of all remaining open tiles (lower is better).
💡 Strategy Tip
Try to close higher numbers first when possible, as they contribute more to your score. However, sometimes it's better to close multiple smaller numbers to keep your options open for future rolls.