Shut the Box 2023 - Math game

Shut the Box is also known as Canoga. Being a traditional pub game without any national governing body, variations of equipment and rules abound. Where there is doubt, locally played rules should always apply.

Shut the Box can be played by any number of players although it is most enjoyable with two, three or four. Some people even play the game solo as a pastime akin to patience. As played traditionally in English pubs.

HOW TO PLAY

At the start of the game all levers or tiles are "open" (cleared, up), showing the numerals 1 to 9.

player begins their turn by throwing or rolling the die or dice into the box. If all of the remaining tiles show 6 or lower, the player may roll only one die. Otherwise, the player must roll both dice.

After throwing, the player adds up (or subtracts) the pips (dots) on the dice and then "shuts" (closes, covers) one of any combination of open numbers that sums to the total number of dots showing on the dice. For example, if the total number of dots is 8, the player may choose any of the following sets of numbers (as long as all of the numbers in the set are available to be covered):

8
7, 1
6, 2
5, 3
5, 2, 1
4, 3, 1
The player then rolls the dice again, aiming to shut more numbers. 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. At that point, the player scores the sum of the numbers that are still uncovered. For example, if the numbers 2, 3, and 5 are still open when the player throws a one, the player's score is 10 (2 + 3 + 5 = 10).

"Shut the Box" is a traditional dice game that can be played solo or with multiple players. The objective of the game is to close as many numbered tiles as possible by rolling the dice and adding up their values. The game is played on a special board or tray with numbered tiles ranging from 1 to 9 or higher.

To play the game, each player takes turns rolling the dice. The player then adds up the values of the dice and looks for the corresponding numbered tiles that are still open. For example, if the dice show a 3 and a 5, the player can choose to close either the tile numbered 3, the tile numbered 5, or both. The sum of the dice can also be used to close the tiles. If the sum is 8, the player can close the tile numbered 8.

The player continues rolling the dice and closing tiles until they are unable to close any more tiles using the sum of the dice. When a player can no longer close any tiles, their turn ends, and their score is calculated. The player's score is determined by the sum of the remaining open tiles. For instance, if the tiles numbered 1, 2, and 4 are still open, the player's score would be 7 (1 + 2 + 4).

The game continues with each player taking turns until all players have had a chance to play. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game wins.

"Shut the Box" is a game that combines luck and strategy. Players must make decisions based on the numbers rolled and the remaining open tiles. It requires both mathematical skills and a bit of risk-taking.

Enjoy playing "Shut the Box" and have fun challenging your friends or testing your own skills in this exciting dice game!