Shut the Box

How to play Shut the Box?

Number Shut-Up, known worldwide as "Shut the Box", is a game in which you match numbers from 1 to 12 with the dice totals and close them; It is a number game that makes addition and mental calculation work naturally while playing.

1. A version of the classic "Shut the Box" game played with tiles from 1 to 12. You and your opponent (the computer) each have their own 12 pieces.
2. On your turn, you roll two dice; You cover the open tiles (alone or with the sum of several of them) that match the total of the dice.
3. You MUST keep rolling the dice as long as you hit the total; When there are no combinations left, it is the opponent's turn.
4. The opponent plays with his own pieces in the same way.
5. Whoever has the lower total of remaining tiles at the end of the round wins; closing all the pieces ("closing the box") is the best outcome.

Shut the Box strategy tips

• Try to close large numbers (7–12) early; At the end of the game, they are difficult to pin even with a single dice.
• If possible, cover it with a single stone; save the small numbers for future small totals.
• 7 is the most common sum with two dice; It will be useful to keep the combinations that make up 7 open.

Shut the Box history

Shut Up is a dice game that has been played in Europe for centuries, known around the world as "Shut the Box".

Matching the total of the dice to a single number or the sum of several numbers improves addition skills and number sense while having fun.

Other names: Shut the Box, close the box, dice game