Scholar's Choice Shut the Box

Shut the Box is a dice game for two or more players. Roll the dice and shut one of any combination of open number tiles that equal the total number showing on the dice. The player then rolls the dice again, aiming to shut more numbers. The play continues until the player cannot shut any more numbers. Then it is the next players turn. If a player closes all of the numbers, they are said to have "Shut the Box" and the player wins immediately.

During the game, each player plays in turn. A player begins his or her turn by throwing or rolling the die or dice into the box. If 7, 8 or 9 is still open, the player must roll both dice. Otherwise, the player may choose to roll one die or both dice.

After throwing, the player adds up the dots (pips) on the dice and then "shuts" (closes, covers) one of any combination of open numbers that equals the total number of dots showing on the dice.

The player continues throwing the dice and shutting numbers until reaching a point at which, given the results produced by the dice, the player cannot shut any more numbers. After every player has taken a turn, the player with the lowest score wins.

If a player succeeds in closing all of the numbers, he or she is said to have "Shut the Box" – the player wins immediately and the game is over.

Ages 6 and up.