What are the basic rules of Shut the Box?

Roll both dice and add the total. Flip down any combination of standing tiles that sums to your dice total. For example, rolling 8 could flip down: 8, or 7+1, or 6+2, or 5+3, or 5+2+1, or 4+3+1, etc.

Shut the Box Rules - How to Play

Goal

Flip down all the tiles ('shut the box'), or finish with the lowest possible score.

Overview

Shut the Box is a classic dice game of luck and basic probability. Players roll dice and flip down numbered tiles, trying to 'shut' all the tiles (1-9 or 1-12). It's a popular pub game and family activity with simple rules but engaging gameplay.

Setup

The box has tiles numbered 1 through 9 (or 1-12 in some versions), all standing up. Use two standard dice. Can be played solo, or players take turns trying to beat each other's scores.

How to play

Roll both dice and add the total.
Flip down any combination of standing tiles that sums to your dice total.
For example, rolling 8 could flip down: 8, or 7+1, or 6+2, or 5+3, or 5+2+1, or 4+3+1, etc.
Once 7, 8, and 9 are flipped, you may choose to roll only one die.
Continue rolling and flipping until you cannot use your dice total.
Your score is the sum of all tiles still standing.
If you flip all tiles, you 'shut the box' and score zero (the best possible).
In multiplayer, the lowest score wins.

Winning the game

Shutting the box (score of 0) is the ultimate win. Otherwise, lowest total of remaining tiles wins. Typical winning scores are in single digits.

Strategy tips

Flip the 9 as soon as possible - it's the hardest number to use.

Prefer flipping larger numbers when you have choices.

Once 7-8-9 are down, switch to one die if allowed - you'll miss the mark less often.

Keep track of which combinations of remaining tiles you can actually achieve.

Avoid leaving combinations like 2 and 3 only - a roll of 11 or 12 ends your turn.

Probability favors middle totals (6-8) - plan around these being common.

History

Shut the Box has been played in England and France for centuries, particularly in pubs. Its origins may trace to 12th century Norman seafarers. Various regional rules and scoring systems exist.