Play Shut the Box Online Free
Roll the dice, close any open number combination that matches the total, and beat Mina, Leo, and Rosa with the lowest score. Shut every tile for a perfect zero.
How to Play Shut the Box
Each player gets a fresh 1-9 box. Your turn continues as long as an open combination matches the dice.
- Start with every tile openThe box begins with tiles 1 through 9 standing up.
- Roll and add the diceBegin with two dice and use their combined total.
- Choose a matching combinationClose one or more open tiles that add up exactly to the roll.
- Keep rolling while you canClosed tiles stay down for the rest of your turn.
- Finish with the lowest scoreAdd the open tiles when blocked. Closing every tile scores zero.
Shut the Box Rules, Demonstrated
Replay each short example to see legal combinations, the one-die option, and end-of-turn scoring on a real 1-9 tile board.
Match the dice total
A roll of 8 can close the 8 by itself, or any open combination such as 6 + 2 or 5 + 2 + 1.
Choose any legal combination
For a roll of 9, both 9 and 5 + 3 + 1 are legal. Each open tile can appear only once.
Unlock the one-die option
After 7, 8, and 9 are closed, you may roll one die. You can switch back to two dice before any roll.
Add the open tiles when blocked
If no open combination matches the roll, your turn ends. The sum of the open tiles is your score.
How Number Combinations Work
The dice create one total. You may close any group of currently open tiles that reaches that total exactly. Tiles do not need to match the individual die faces.
| Roll | Example legal closes |
|---|---|
| 6 | 6, 5 + 1, 4 + 2, or 3 + 2 + 1 |
| 8 | 8, 7 + 1, 6 + 2, 5 + 3, or 5 + 2 + 1 |
| 9 | 9, 8 + 1, 7 + 2, 6 + 3, 5 + 4, or 5 + 3 + 1 |
A combination is legal only if every tile in it is still open. The game highlights open choices, and Hint selects a high-tile option without closing it for you.
The Shut the Box One-Die Rule
This table unlocks one die when the 7, 8, and 9 tiles are all closed. The one-die button becomes active, but two dice remain available if you want a larger range of totals.
- Use one die when you need totals from 1 through 6.
- Use two dice when several open tiles can combine into a larger total.
- Choose before rolling. You cannot change the dice after seeing the result.
Scoring a Four-Player Match
You and each computer player receive a separate turn with all nine tiles open. When a player is blocked, the open numbers are added together. The lowest final total wins the match.
If a player closes every tile, the box is shut and that player scores zero. Zero is unbeatable, so the match ends immediately.
Shut the Box Strategy
- Close high tiles early. A 9 needs a large roll, while low tiles remain flexible later.
- Keep several small tiles open. Groups such as 1, 2, and 3 can build many totals.
- Watch the one-die threshold. Closing 7, 8, and 9 gives you access to every total from 1 to 6.
- Compare complete combinations. A multi-tile close can lower your score quickly, but it may remove useful flexibility.
Popular Shut the Box Variations
Traditional sets and local rules vary. Some boxes use tiles 1 through 12, some require two dice for the entire turn, and some score the remaining digits as one number instead of adding them.
This online version uses the accessible pub-table format: tiles 1-9, flexible sum combinations, optional one-die play after 7-9 close, and additive low-score scoring.
Prefer cards? Try the quick family game Trash, play a multi-round challenge in Three Thirteen Rummy, or browse all free games.
Shut the Box Questions
What numbers can I close after a roll?
Any group of open tiles that adds exactly to the dice total. On an 8, you could close 8, 6 + 2, 5 + 3, or another legal combination.
Can I use the same tile twice?
No. Each numbered tile appears once and stays closed for the rest of that player's turn.
When may I roll one die?
One die becomes available after tiles 7, 8, and 9 are closed. Two dice remain an option.
What happens if no tiles match?
Your turn ends. Add the values of every tile still open to get your score.
What does it mean to shut the box?
You closed all nine tiles. That scores a perfect zero and wins this match immediately.