dice-game Archives * flexco.com

10 Easy Steps to Master the Classic Game of Shut the Box

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Shut the Box, a captivating game of chance and skill that has enthralled players for centuries. Its origins shrouded in the mists of time, Shut the Box has evolved over the years, capturing the imaginations of countless individuals around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, this timeless game offers a delightful blend of strategy, luck, and the thrill of the unknown. As you embark on this enchanting journey, prepare to unravel its secrets, master its nuances, and experience the unparalleled joy of Shut the Box.

Before you delve into the intricacies of the game, you’ll need to assemble the essential components. At the heart of Shut the Box lies its eponymous box, adorned with an array of numbered tiles. These tiles, typically handcrafted from wood or plastic, are the gatekeepers of your strategic endeavors. Alongside the box and its tiles, you’ll need a pair of dice, the faithful companions that will guide your every move. With these elements in place, you’re now ready to embark on the captivating odyssey that is Shut the Box.

As the dice cascade across the table, their faces revealing a tantalizing combination of numbers, your mind races with possibilities. The rules of the game, deceptively simple yet infinitely engaging, dictate that you must select tiles whose numbers correspond to the sum of the dice’s pips. With each successful tile flip, you’ll inch closer to your ultimate goal: shutting the box, an accomplishment that demands both cunning and a touch of good fortune. However, beware the perils that await you, for time is your relentless adversary, and every unplayed tile brings you closer to the game’s inevitable conclusion.

Overview of Shut the Box

Shut the Box is a classic dice game of luck and strategy that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. The game is played with a set of numbered tiles and two dice. The objective of the game is to be the first player to “shut the box” by covering all of the tiles with the dice.

The game is played on a board that has 9 tiles, each numbered from 1 to 9. The tiles are arranged in a 3×3 grid, with the number 1 tile in the top left corner and the number 9 tile in the bottom right corner.

To play the game, players take turns rolling the dice and adding the numbers together. The player then covers the tile that corresponds to the sum of the dice. For example, if a player rolls a 3 and a 4, they would cover the tile with the number 7.

Players continue to take turns rolling the dice and covering the tiles until one player is able to cover all of the tiles. The player who is able to shut the box first wins the game.

Shut the Box is a simple game to learn, but it can be challenging to master. The game requires players to be able to think strategically and to manage their risk. Shut the Box is a great game for families and friends to enjoy together.

Number of Players

Shut the Box can be played by 2 to 4 players.

Equipment

To play Shut the Box, you will need the following equipment:

Item	Quantity
Board	1
Tiles	9
Dice	2

Gameplay Rules

The objective of Shut the Box is to be the first player to close all of the numbers on the board. The game begins with all of the numbers on the board open.

How to Play

1. Roll the dice: One player rolls two dice.
2. Add the numbers: The player adds the numbers on the dice together.
3. Close the numbers: The player closes any combination of numbers on the board that add up to the total of the dice.
4. For Example: If the player rolls a 3 and a 4, they can close the numbers 3, 4, or 7.
5. Take turns: Play continues with the next player taking their turn.

Winning the Game

The first player to close all of the numbers on the board wins the game. If multiple players close all of their numbers on the same turn, the game ends in a draw. The player with the highest total of closed numbers wins the game.

Tips for Playing Shut the Box

* Try to close numbers that are close together. This will make it easier to close the remaining numbers.
* Pay attention to the numbers that have not been closed. This will help you to plan your next move.
* Don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes, it is necessary to close a higher number in order to close the remaining numbers.

Objective and Winning the Game

The objective of Shut the Box is to be the first player to close all the numbered tiles on the board. The player who succeeds in doing this wins the game.

To close a tile, the player must roll a die and then remove from the board any tiles that add up to the number rolled. For example, if a player rolls a 5, they can remove the tiles numbered 2 and 3, or the tile numbered 5. If a player is unable to close any tiles with the number rolled, they lose their turn and play passes to the next player.

The game continues until one player has closed all the tiles on the board. If two or more players close all the tiles on the board in the same turn, the player who closed the most tiles wins the game.

How to Play Shut the Box

To play Shut the Box, you will need the following:

A Shut the Box board
Two dice

The game can be played with any number of players, but it is best played with two or three players.

To start the game, each player rolls the dice and adds the numbers together. The player with the highest total goes first.

On their turn, the player rolls the dice and then removes from the board any tiles that add up to the number rolled. For example, if a player rolls a 5, they can remove the tiles numbered 2 and 3, or the tile numbered 5. If a player is unable to close any tiles with the number rolled, they lose their turn and play passes to the next player.

Variations of Shut the Box

There are many variations of Shut the Box, including:

The Shut the Box Challenge: This variation of the game requires the player to close all the tiles on the board in a specific number of rolls. For example, a player may challenge themselves to close all the tiles in 10 rolls or less.
The Shut the Box Tournament: This variation of the game is played as a tournament, with players competing to see who can close all the tiles on the board in the fewest number of rolls.

Playing Shut the Box Online

Playing Shut the Box online is a great way to enjoy the classic game without having to gather a group of friends or family. There are many online platforms where you can play Shut the Box, including websites and mobile apps. To play online, you will need to create an account and then find a game to join. You can play against other players or against the computer.

Number 7

The number 7 is a special number in Shut the Box. This is because it is the sum of two numbers that are often used to start the game, 2 and 5. As a result, it can be difficult to get rid of the number 7 without also getting rid of other numbers that you need. There are a few different strategies for dealing with the number 7.

One strategy is to try to get rid of the number 7 as early as possible in the game. This can be done by rolling numbers that add up to 7, such as 5 and 2, or 6 and 1. Another strategy is to try to keep the number 7 until the end of the game. This can be done by rolling numbers that add up to a number other than 7, such as 3 and 4, or 6 and 3.

Ultimately, the best strategy for dealing with the number 7 will depend on the other numbers that are available on the dice. However, by understanding the importance of the number 7, you can increase your chances of winning the game.

Number	Score
1	1
2	2
3	3
4	4
5	5
6	6
7	7
8	8
9	9
10	10

History and Origins of the Game

The exact origins of Shut the Box are uncertain, but several theories exist.

Romans

One theory traces the game back to Roman times. The Romans used a device called a “calculus” to perform calculations. The calculus consisted of a number of wooden tiles, each with a different number of dots on it. The Romans used the calculus to play a game similar to Shut the Box, in which players would try to cover all the numbers on the board with their tiles.

Sailors

Another theory suggests that Shut the Box was invented by sailors in the 18th century. Sailors would often play the game to pass the time during long voyages. The game was originally played using a box with numbered flaps, and players would try to cover all the flaps with their tiles.

Development

Shut the Box eventually became popular in England, where it was known as “Nine Men’s Morris.” The game was later introduced to the United States, where it became known as “Shut the Box.” The game has been played in many different countries around the world, and it remains a popular game today.

Variations

There are many different variations of Shut the Box, but the basic game play is the same. Players take turns rolling a pair of dice and then trying to cover the corresponding numbers on the board with their tiles. The first player to cover all of their tiles wins the game.

Some of the most popular variations of Shut the Box include:

Variation	Description
Nine Men’s Morris	Played on a board with nine squares, and players use nine tiles.
Thirteen Up	Played on a board with thirteen numbers, and players use thirteen tiles.
Twenty-One Up	Played on a board with twenty-one numbers, and players use twenty-one tiles.

How to Play Shut the Box Game

Shut the Box is a classic dice game that is enjoyed by people of all ages. The game is simple to learn and can be played with just a few materials. Here are the rules of the game:

Objective: To be the first player to close all of the numbered flaps on the box.
Materials: A Shut the Box game board and two dice.
Setup: Place the game board in the center of the table. Each player chooses a side of the board to sit on.
Gameplay: The youngest player rolls the dice first. The player then adds the numbers on the dice together and opens the corresponding flap on the box. For example, if the player rolls a 3 and a 4, they would open the flap numbered 7.
Next Player’s Turn: The next player’s turn begins. The player can choose to either roll the dice and open a flap, or they can choose to “shut the box” by closing all of the flaps that have been opened.
Shutting the Box: To shut the box, a player must close all of the flaps that have been opened. If a player is able to shut the box, they win the game.

10 Easy Steps to Play Left Right Center with Regular Dice

Left Right Center is a classic childhood game that is still enjoyed by adults today. It is a simple game to learn but can be surprisingly challenging to master. The game is played with two or more people and a pair of dice. The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of your dice. To start the game, each player places an equal number of dice in the center of the table. One player then rolls the dice and calls out “left,” “right,” or “center.” The other players then roll their dice and place them in the indicated direction.

If a player rolls a number that matches the number of dice in the center, they can take all of those dice. If a player rolls a number that is higher than the number of dice in the center, they must add the excess dice to the center. If a player rolls a number that is lower than the number of dice in the center, they must take the difference in dice from the center. The game continues until one player has gotten rid of all of their dice.

Left Right Center is a fun and easy game to learn. It is a great game for parties or family gatherings. The game can be played with any number of people, and it is suitable for all ages. So next time you are looking for a fun and challenging game to play, give Left Right Center a try.

Setting Up the Game

Left Right Center is a classic dice game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s a simple game to learn, but it can be quite challenging to master. The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of your dice.

To set up the game, you will need the following:

Two dice
Three or more players
A flat surface to play on

To start the game, each player places one die in the center of the playing surface. The remaining dice are placed in a pile next to the playing surface.

The youngest player goes first. They roll the two dice and then add the numbers together. The total is the number of dice that they can take from the center or from another player.

For example, if a player rolls a 5 and a 4, they can take 9 dice from the center. They can also take 5 dice from one player and 4 dice from another player.

If a player takes all of the dice from the center, they get to go again.

The game continues until one player has gotten rid of all of their dice. That player is the winner.

Here is a table that summarizes the rules of the game:

Number Rolled	Action
2 or less	Take 1 die from the center or from another player.
3 to 11	Take the number of dice rolled from the center or from another player.
12	Take all of the dice from the center or from another player.

Determining the Dealer

1. **Roll one die to determine the starting player.** Each player takes turns rolling one die. The player who rolls the highest number becomes the dealer.

2. **Deal out the dice to the players.** The dealer rolls all the dice onto the table and places them in a pile in the center. The dealer then distributes the dice evenly among the players, with each player receiving the same number of dice.

3. **Decide on a target number.** The players agree on a target number, which is the number that the players will be trying to roll. The target number can be any number between 2 and 12.

4. **Determine the player who goes first.** The player who is sitting to the left of the dealer goes first. The players then take turns rolling the dice, starting with the player who goes first and continuing clockwise around the table.

Rolling the Dice

Rolling the dice is an integral part of Left Right Center. Each participant takes turns rolling three dice simultaneously. The value of each die is added together to determine their high roll. Once all players have rolled, the participant with the highest roll selects which player receives their chips.

The Mechanics of Rolling

The dice should be rolled in a consistent manner to ensure fairness. Some players prefer to use a rolling cup or a dice tower, while others roll the dice directly onto the table. The dice should be rolled with enough force to prevent them from sticking together or landing on their sides. The values should be read from the top surface of each die.

Special Rolls

There are a few special rolls that can occur during Left Right Center.

Roll	Outcome
Triple	The same number appears on all three dice. The player wins all the chips in the center of the table.
Dice Off	Two or more dice are rolled off the table. The player is ineligible to win the chips that round and loses any chips they have in the center.
Bump	The player rolls a higher number than the previous player, but lower than the player before that. The player receives no chips and the turn passes to the next player.

Calling "Left," "Right," or "Center"

When it’s your turn, roll the dice and then call out either "left," "right," or "center."

Left or Right

If you call "left" or "right," you are betting that the die will land on a number that is either to the left or right of the number that was rolled. For example, if the number rolled is 4, calling "left" means you are betting that the next die will land on a number between 1 and 3, and calling "right" means you are betting that it will land on a number between 5 and 6.

Center

If you call "center," you are betting that the next die will land on the same number as the number that was rolled. For example, if the number rolled is 4, calling "center" means you are betting that the next die will also land on 4.

Example Rolls:

Starting Roll	Bet	Outcome
4	Left	2
4	Right	6
4	Center	4

If you guess correctly, you win all of the chips that are in the pot. If you guess incorrectly, you lose all of the chips that you have in the pot.

Winning the Round

Winning the round in Left Right Center with regular dice is determined by the player who has the lowest die roll total at the end of the game. If two or more players have the same lowest total, they continue to roll off until one player emerges as the winner.

Five-Die Roll (Optional Rule)

In the five-die roll variation, the player who rolls the lowest total on their first five rolls wins the round. However, there are a few additional rules:

If a player rolls a total of zero on their first five rolls, they are eliminated from the game.
If a player rolls a total of 60 or higher on their first five rolls, they are also eliminated from the game.
If a player rolls a triple or a quadruple on one of their first five rolls, they may choose to roll again and add the total to their original score.
A player may also choose to “bank” their score after any of their first five rolls. If they do so, they will keep the score they have accumulated so far and will not roll again.

Roll	Total	Result
1, 2, 3, 4, 5	15	Lowest total, player wins round
6, 6, 6, 1, 1	20	Loses round due to triple
4, 4, 4, 4, 4	20	Loses round due to quadruple
0	0	Eliminated from game
7, 7, 7, 7, 7	35	Banked score of 35

Keeping Score

At the end of each round, every player reveals the numbers on their dice. The dice with the highest numbers win, but only the highest remaining die on each side counts. For example, if the left side has a 2, 3, and 6, and the right side has a 4, 5, and 6, the left side wins with their 6. If there are multiple dice with the highest number, they are tied. Each winning side then adds the sum of their two dice to their score.

Number 6

The number 6 deserves special mention. If a player rolls a 6 on either side, they lose all their winnings for that round, regardless of what anyone else rolls. So, even if you have a 5 on the other side and everyone else has rolled lower numbers, you still lose everything with a 6. This is known as “sixing out” and is one of the most exciting moments in the game.

However, there is one exception to the “sixing out” rule. If a player rolls a 6 on both sides, they get a special bonus known as “double sixes” or “two in the pink.” This bonus is worth an extra 12 points in addition to whatever they would have won from rolling two sixes normally. So, if they had a 4 and a 5 on the other sides, they would win a total of 22 points (12 for the double sixes plus 10 for the other two dice).

Dice	Value
2-5	Dice value
6	Lose all winnings
Double sixes	Bonus 12 points

Multiple Rounds

The game continues until one player has lost all their chips. If multiple rounds are played, the winner of each round receives a predetermined number of chips as a bonus. The number of bonus chips can vary based on the rules agreed upon before the game begins. For instance, the winner may receive double the number of chips they had left at the end of the round or a fixed number, such as 5 or 10 chips.

The use of bonus chips serves as a way to incentivize players to play aggressively and to encourage them to take risks. As a result, the game can lead to more exciting and unpredictable gameplay.

Below is a table summarizing the possible outcomes of each round and the corresponding bonus chip rewards:

Round Outcome	Bonus Chips
Player wins with 7 chips	3 chips
Player wins with 6 chips	2 chips
Player wins with 5 or fewer chips	1 chip

Variations on the Game

Piece from the Center

In this variation of the game, after a player rolls a 3, they may take a piece from the center of the table and keep it as one of their own. The game continues as normal, with each player trying to get rid of their pieces.

Jackpot

In this variation of the game, each player starts with three pieces. If a player rolls a 3, they can put one of their pieces in the center of the table. If a player rolls a 3 and there are already three pieces in the center, they can take all three pieces and add them to their own pile. The game continues until one player has all nine pieces.

Keep the Pieces

In this variation of the game, players keep the pieces they take from their opponents. The game continues until one player has all 27 pieces.

Pass to the Left/Right

In this variation of the game, players must pass the pieces they take from their opponents to the player on their left or right. The game continues until one player has all 27 pieces.

Roll the Dice Three Times

In this variation of the game, players roll the dice three times in a row. If they roll a 3 on any of the three rolls, they can take a piece from their opponent. The game continues until one player has all 27 pieces.

Make a Run

In this variation of the game, players must take their pieces in a row. For example, they can take three pieces in a row, or they can take two pieces in a row and then one more piece. The game continues until one player has all 27 pieces.

No Passing

In this variation of the game, players cannot pass the pieces they take from their opponents to the player on their left or right. The game continues until one player has all 27 pieces.

Piece from the Player

In this variation of the game, after a player rolls a 3, they may take a piece from any other player. The game continues as normal, with each player trying to get rid of their pieces.

Advanced Strategies

Situational Awareness

Pay attention to the number of dice in play and the average roll value. This information can help you make informed decisions about how many dice to roll and which numbers to call. For example, if there are only a few dice remaining, it may be wise to roll a lower number to increase your chances of being correct.

Cooperative Betting

If you have a strong partnership with another player, you can coordinate your betting to maximize your chances of winning. For instance, if you both have a die showing a 3, you could agree to both call “3” on the next roll. This increases the odds of one of you winning the pot.

Bluffing and Deception

While honesty is generally a good policy in Left Right Center, there are times when bluffing can be beneficial. If you have a weak hand, you may choose to call a number that you know is not showing on any of your dice. This can trick your opponents into thinking you have a stronger hand than you actually do.

Calculating Probabilities

Understanding the probabilities of rolling certain numbers can give you an edge in Left Right Center. The following table shows the probability of rolling each number on a pair of six-sided dice:

Number	Probability
2	1/36
3	2/36
4	3/36
5	4/36
6	5/36
7	6/36
8	5/36
9	4/36
10	3/36
11	2/36
12	1/36

Left Right Center is a fast paced dice game that can be played with two or more players. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all their dice.

Printable Score Sheet

You can use a simple piece of paper to keep track of the score. Draw a line down the middle of the paper to create two columns, one for each player. Write each player’s name at the top of their column. As the game progresses, players will write down the number of dice they have left in the appropriate column.

Number 10

In the game of Left Right Center, number 10’s are the “safe numbers”. If a player rolls a 10, they can choose to keep the die or pass it to another player. If they keep the die, it is placed in front of them and it is no longer in play. If they pass the die, it is passed to the left or right (depending on the direction of play) and the player who receives the die must either keep it or pass it on.

10’s can be used to strategically block other players from getting rid of their dice. For example, if a player has only one die left and they roll a 10, they can choose to keep the 10 and block the other player from getting rid of their last die.

10’s can also be used to set up other players for a “strike”. If a player has two or more dice left and they roll a 10, they can choose to keep the 10 and then pass one of their other dice to another player. This can force the other player to take an extra die and increase their chances of striking out.

How To Play Left Right Center With Regular Dice

Left Right Center is a popular dice game that can be played with 2 or more people. The object of the game is to be the last player with any dice. To play, you will need 3 dice and a small amount of money (such as coins or chips).

To start the game, each player places an agreed-upon amount of money in the center of the table. One player then rolls the dice. The player to the left of the roller then guesses whether the next roll will be higher or lower than the previous roll. If the guess is correct, the player wins the money in the center of the table. If the guess is incorrect, the player must add an agreed-upon amount of money to the center of the table.

The game continues in this manner until one player has all of the money. That player is the winner of the game.