Shut the Box

This game, for two or more players, has long been popular in northern France.

Equipment

1) two dice; 2) a board or sheet of paper with nine boxes numbered 1 to 9; 3) nine counters used to cover the numbers during the course of the game - In some parts of the world, specially made trays with sliding covers for the numbers are available.

Objective
Players aim to cover as many of the numbers as possible, in accordance with the throws of the dice. High-numbered boxes should be covered first, since it is the player with the lowest score who wins.

Play
Play begins after a preliminary round has decided the first shooter (usually the player with the highest score).

Each player in turn throws the two dice. He then adds the spot values of the two dice, and decides which box numbers he will cover. For example, a throw totalling 10 would allow him to cover 5 and 5, 6 and 4, 7 and 3, 8 and 2, or 9 and 1.

Once the player has covered his chosen numbers, he throws again and makes a further choice. But he cannot make use of numbers he has already covered - he must use up his entire score with uncovered numbers.

When a player has covered the three highest numbers (7, 8, and 9), he is allowed to throw with only one die whenever he wishes. He continues throwing until he can no longer find combinations in his latest throw to match the numbers still uncovered. His turn is now complete, and the uncovered numbers remaining are totalled, and constitute his score.

All numbers on the board are once more exposed. The next player takes the dice, and has his turn, and so on.

From 'The Official World Encyclopedia of Sports and Games'
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd 1979