How Shut the Box with 10 numbers works
The 10-number Shut the Box game follows the normal Shut the Box rules. You start with all ten tiles open, roll two dice, and shut any open tiles that add up to the total. When no open tiles match your roll, your turn ends, and your score is the open tiles added together. The ten tiles add up to 55, so the worst possible score is higher than in the 9-number game.
The 10 tile can be shut on its own by a roll of 10, or together with other tiles by a roll of 11 or 12.
When can you roll one die with 10 numbers?
The one-die rule with 10 numbers is not fixed. Some players allow a single die once the 7, 8 and 9 are shut, and others wait until the 10 is shut as well. Agree on it before the first roll.
What are the odds of shutting the box with 10 numbers?
The odds of shutting the box with 10 numbers are about 1 in 25 with best play. We worked out every possible game:
| Rule | Chance of shutting the box with best play |
|---|---|
| Always two dice | 4.0% (about 1 in 25) |
| One die allowed once 7 to 10 are shut | 5.4% (about 1 in 19) |
Our two-dice figure matches Durango Bill's Shut the Box analysis. For comparison, the classic 9-number game gives about 1 in 10, and 12 numbers about 1 in 276.
What is a good score with 10 numbers?
A good score with 10 numbers is anything under 16. With best play, half of all 10-number games end on 16 or less, and the average is about 17. A score of 9 or less happens in about 1 game in 4.
Who plays with 10 numbers?
Ten-number boxes are less common than 9 or 12, and some larger boxes made for six players use 10 numbers. The 10-number game sits in the middle: longer than the classic game, but with a real chance of shutting the box. To compare all three sizes, see Shut the Box variations.