general | June 06, 2026

Is it possible to win shut the box?

The probability of winning is only 0.3622 percent. (One chance in 276.) A possible variation of the game might instead use 3 dice until a score of 50 is reached, then use 2 dice up through a score of 71, and then use 1 die if your score is 72 or higher.

How do I start Shut the Box?

A round of the game consists of each player taking one turn to try to shut the box. A turn consists of a player repeatedly throwing the dice until he or she cannot continue. Each throw of the dice is taken as follows: If 7, 8 and 9 are all covered, the player decides whether to throw one die or two.

What is the probability of winning Shut the Box?

Short answer: You can shut the box ~ 0.41% of the time, or about 1 in 250 tries

ScorePercent
00.41%
100.39%
90.26%
630.23%

How do you play Shut the Box 4 way?

Players can challenge each other for the lowest score. Flip down all the tiles and you’ve Shut-the-Box! With 4-Way Play, everyone rolls their dice at the same time, flipping down the matching tiles. When no one can flip any more numbers, the person with the lowest score (least not flipped) wins the game!

How many numbers can you put down in Shut the Box?

Traditionally, a counting box is used with tiles numbered 1 to 9 where each can be covered with a hinged or sliding mechanism, though the game can be played with only a pair of dice, pen, and paper. Variations exist where the box has 10 or 12 tiles.

Can you subtract in Shut the Box?

Alternate Shut the Box rules allow the player to roll both dice and subtract the numbers from each other. For example, a roll of 5 and 2 would give that player a 3.

How many numbers should Shut the Box have?

Variations exist where the box has 10 or 12 tiles. Alternatively, dominoes can be used for the tiles – this also provides the option of using up to six dice if a Double 18 domino set is used….Shut the box.

Other namesCanoga, batten down the hatches, trick-track
Playing time2–3 minutes per player
Random chanceHigh (Dice rolling)

When was Shut the Box invented?

12th Century
The game Shut the Box is said to have been invented in the 12th Century France. Legend has it that Shut the Box was a cherished game among sailors and fishermen off the coast of Normandy some 200 years ago.

Is Shut the Box a drinking game?

Shut the box drinking game In the old days in pubs, Shut the Box was often played as a gambling game, where each player put an equal amount of money into the pot at the beginning of a round. If or when a player shuts all the boxes in his turn, he wins the pot.

How to choose a strategy for shut the box?

Choose your strategy. You should always have a strategy planned before the game starts. Stick to your strategy and don’t switch strategies part-way through the game. Cover large numbers first if possible, that way you have a lower score at the end of your turn. Try to get every space covered.

What are the rules of shut the box?

Through this answerI learned of a game called Shut the Box. The rules are very simple. The numbers 1 through 9 are “open”. Two dice are rolled and numbers are shut that sum up to the number rolled. A player keeps rolling until no numbers can be shut, at which point that player’s score is the sum of the numbers still open.

How do you set up shut the box?

Setting up Shut the Box is easy. If you are using a dedicated dice tray with scoring tiles, just flip all of them up to show all the numbers. Otherwise, use a scoring system of your choice to help you keep track of open and close numbers during the gameplay.

How are numbers determined in shut the box?

This version of the game uses unique rules to determine which numbers players can close. Set-up and equipment are the same as 9-number Shut the Box. In Jackpot, the player rolls two dice. Then the player is able to close the sum of the roll, the exact number shown on each die, or the number shown on only one die.