Introduction 

A game of Shut the Box comes with one set of dice.

The object of the game is to cover all boxes or obtain the lowest score. A scorepad and pen will be helpful for keeping score when needed.

How to Play

• Shut the Box can be played individually or with multiple players. Each round begins by lowering the levers so that all numbers are visible. This process is also known as “opening all of the boxes”. The player with the highest roll of both dice goes first.
• During each round, each player will take turns which consists of multiple rolls to close as many boxes as possible (by lifting the levers to close certain number). The player can choose up to any combination or pattern in which they feel. The first player rolls both dice and counts the number of ‘pips’ (black dots) on the dice. Add the numbers on the dice together. Using this total, the player can knock down or ‘close’ any combination of numbered levers that add up to the total. For example, if a player rolls a total 9, the player can choose up to any of the following:
  9
  8,1
  6,3
  5,4
  4,2 & 3
  4,1 & 4

*Note: If the levers numbered 7-9 (or 7-12 depending on the version of the game board) are still ‘open’, the player must roll both dice, if these levers are ‘closed’, the player may choose to roll one die or both dice.

• The first player continues to roll the dice until they can no longer ‘close’ an appropriate combination of numbers. If none of the options are available to play and have been covered, then the players turn is finished. Add up the numbers on the levers that remain ‘open’, and this is the first player’s score. For example, if the 1, 2, and 9 levers are still ‘open’, the player’s score is 12.
• When it is the second player’s turn, all the levers are opened again, and the second player repeats the process of the game
• When all players have had a turn, the player with the lowest score is the winner, but if one player closes all the levers, they are said to have “shut the box”, the game will end immediately and whoever closed them all wins the game automatically.