Shut the Box is a traditional dice game that has remained popular for centuries. It only requires two dice and a simple board, but it provides a good amount of strategy.
Alternate Names for Shut the Box
The dice game of Shut the Box is also known by other names. These include:
One to Nine
Trick-Track
Canoga
Batten Down the Hatches
Nine Boxes
Zeppelin
Shut the Box Game Summary
Object of the Game
The object of the game of Shut the Box is to “shut” as many numbers as possible and become the player with the lowest score.
Components
To play Shut the Box, you'll need the following components:
- Two6-sided dice.
- Nine chips or glass stones orsome kind of markers.
- An app or a notepad and pencil for keeping score.
- One or more dice cups (optional)
- A playing board with nine boxes onit numbered 1 to 9. (Some boxed versions of the game provide youwith the numbers on wooden paddles that you can then slide or flipin place of using markers, but the game can easily be played with aboard that you print or create yourself.)
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Number of Players
Shut the Box can be played by any number of players but is best with 2 to 5.
How to Play Shut the Box
The following rules represent the most standard or traditional version of the game, but there are many, many variations to allow you to alter the game if you should choose (see below).
Set the markers in the center of the table so they can be easily accessed by all players. Choose astarting player and give them the two dice. After the first player completes their turn, play will progress clockwise around the table.
Important terminology: Each box on the board that contains a number is called anumber-space. When you cover a number-space with a marker, you have “shut” that number-space. If a player is able to cover all nine number-spaces on their turn, they have “shut the box” and they score 0 points for that turn (which is a good thing!).
To begin your turn, place the empty board in front of you and roll the two dice. You may then take one of the following two actions:
- Use each die individually
If the numbers on the two dice are different from each other, and if both number-spaces on the board that match the numbers on the dice are not currently shut, then you may shut each of those number-spaces. - Use the sum of both dice
If the number-space that matches the sum of the two dice is not currently shut, you may shut that number-space.
If you are able to perform one of these two actions, you may then continue your turn by rolling both dice again. If you were unable to perform either action, then your turn is over.
At the end of your turn, sum up all thenumber-spaces that have not been shut. Record that result. Keep arunning total of each player's score.
If you succeed in shuttingnumber-spaces 7, 8, and 9 on your turn, and your turn has not ended,you have the option of rolling only a single die instead of bothdice. If you do roll a single die and the number-space matching thenumber you rolled is shut, then your turn ends.
Play continues for five rounds so thateach player will get five turns in total, and then a winner isdetermined. (See Winning Shut the Box below.)
Example:
On the first throw of your turn, youroll a 3 and a 5. You decide to use the sum of both dice and so youshut the “8” number-space. Since you were able to perform one ofthe two turn actions, you roll the dice again. This time you get a 5and a 6. The sum of 5 + 6 is 11, and since there is no “11”number-space, you have to place one marker in the “5”number-space and one marker in the “6” number-space. You roll thedice a third time, and this time you get a 1 and a 5. You are unableto use both dice individually, because the “5” number-spaceis already shut, and you can't use the sum of the two dicesince the “6” number-space is also already shut. Thisends your turn and so you clear the board and pass it and the dice tothe next player.
Winning Shut the Box
The player with the lowest total scoreat the end of five rounds is the winner.
Shut the Box Rules Variations
The game rules of Shut the Box can bealtered in many ways to provide exciting changes every time you play.
Always Sum
Always Sum is one of the most commonlyplayed variants of Shut the Box. In this version of the game, younever use the numbers on the two dice separately. You roll both diceand then always sum them together. Then, you may shut any uncoverednumber-spaces on the board that add up to the sum of the two dice.
For example, if you rolled a 3 and a 6on the first roll of your turn, you could shut any one of thefollowing combinations of number-spaces:
- 4, 3, and 2
- 5, 3, and 1
- 5 and 4
- 6, 2, and 1
- 6 and 3
- 7 and 2
- 8 and 1
- 9
As in the standard rules, as long asyou are able to continue shutting number-spaces after each roll, yourturn continues.
Also as in the standard rules, you maychoose to only roll a single die if you have managed to shut number-spaces 7, 8, and 9 during your turn.
Always Sum Duo
The Always Sum Duo variant plays likethe Always Sum variant except that on your turn you must shut exactlytwo number-spaces whose sum is equal to the total of both dice. Sofor example, if you rolled a 3 and a 6 on your turn, you would havethe option of shutting any one of the following combinations ofnumber-spaces:
- 5 and 4
- 6 and 3
- 7 and 2
- 8 and 1
Note that in this variant, it is notpossible to shut all the boxes. One will always remain open.
Instant Victory
In this variant, if a player is able toshut the box (cover all the number-spaces) during their turn, theyimmediately win the game.
Full House
In this game variant, the boardconsists of a full 12 number-spaces instead of only 9 number-spaces.
The Long Game
In this two player variant, the firstplayer begins by playing as normal, and both dice are always rolledevery turn. When the first player's turn ends, the board is not resetbut instead the other player rolls the dice and attempts to “open”all the number-spaces that have been shut. Rolling doubles provides aplayer with an additional turn. The first player to achieve theirgoal of either “shutting the box” or “opening the box” is thewinner.
2 to Go
In this version of the game, you mustshut the “2” number-space on your first roll if possible. If youfail to do so, your turn immediately ends.
3 to Go
Similar to 2 to Go, except that youmust shut the “3” number-space on your first roll if possible. Ifyou fail to do so, your turn immediately ends.
Against All Odds
Every player's first turn of the gamebegins with all even number-spaces already shut.
Even Stevens
Every player's first turn of the gamebegins with all odd number-spaces already shut.
3 Down Extreme
Every player's first turn of the gamebegins with the number-spaces 1 through 3 already shut. Only thenumber-spaces 4 through 9 are available during the first turn.
Single Round
The game is played in a single round,with each player only getting one turn.
45 Out
Instead of playing a set number ofrounds, keep a running total of player scores. When a player reaches45 points, they are out of the game. The last player remaining is inthe game is the winner.
Digital
When determining a player's score atthe end of their turn, read the open number-spaces in sequence. Thatis the player's score for the turn. For example, if the number-spaces3, 4, and 6 remained open, the player's score would be 346 points.
Open Space
At the end of a player's turn, theirscore is determined by how many number-spaces remain open, not by thenumbers themselves. For example, if a player succeeded in shutting 5number-spaces on their turn, that would leave 4 number-spaces stillopen, so their score for the turn would be 4.
Unlucky 7
In this version of Shut the Box, anyplayer who rolls a 7 is immediately out of the game and obtains 43points. This is summed onto any score they have already achieved.During their turn, a player may decide to end their turn at any timeand score normally.
Mar 23rd 2023 Dice Game Depot
