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Shut the BoxBoard & Card · Casual
How to play Shut the Box
Shut the Box is a tile-and-dice game for one or two players. A wooden box holds a row of numbered tiles, 1 to 9 in the classic box or 1 to 12 in the big one. Roll two dice, then tap tiles that add up to the total: a 7 can be the 7 tile, 3 and 4, or 1, 2 and 4. The tiles you pick flip down and you roll again.
The turn ends when no tiles fit the roll. The tiles still standing are your points, so lower is better, and flipping every tile is a perfect shut. Once the tiles from 7 up are all down you may roll a single die instead of two. Tiles that cannot be part of any move fade out, and a hint lights the move that keeps the most options open.
Pick a solo run of five rounds and beat your best total, play three rounds against a bot at easy, normal or hard, or pass one screen between two people. Every turn pays virtual coins, a shut box pays the most, and coins buy a hint or a new felt colour for the box. Your best scores and coins are saved on your device.
Controls
Click a tile to pick it, click Roll (or press R or Space) to roll. Keys 1 to 9 and 0 pick tiles, H is a hint, P or Esc pauses, M toggles sound. Tab moves between tiles.
Tap Roll, then tap the tiles that add up to the dice total; they flip down by themselves. The Hint button is under the dice.
FAQ
How do I play?
Roll the dice, then tap tiles whose numbers add up to the total. They flip down at once and you roll again. When no tiles fit, the turn ends and the tiles still up count as your points. Lowest total wins.
When can I roll one die?
When every tile from 7 up is down, a button appears that lets you roll a single die instead of two. It gives small totals, which suit the small tiles you have left.
How strong is the bot?
Easy picks any legal move. Normal takes the big tiles first and slips now and then. Hard works out the best move from every position, so beat it with a few lucky rolls or a shut box.
What are coins for?
You earn them on every turn, up to 40 for a shut box. Spend them on a hint (10 coins) or a new felt colour in the menu. They are virtual and have no cash value.
Is Shut the Box free?
Yes. It is free to play in your browser, with no download and no account.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. It runs on phones, tablets and computers. Tap Roll, then tap the tiles that add up to the dice total; they flip down by themselves. The Hint button is under the dice.