How Shut the Box with 12 numbers works
The 12-number Shut the Box game follows the same Shut the Box rules as the 9-number game:
- Start with all twelve tiles open.
- Roll two dice and shut any open tiles that add up to the total.
- Keep rolling until no open tiles add up to your roll.
- Your score is the open tiles added together. Lowest wins.
All twelve tiles add up to 78, so scores run higher than in the 9-number game, where the tiles add up to 45. To compare the two, see Shut the Box variations.
How do you shut the 1 with two dice?
With two dice you can only shut the 1 tile together with other tiles, because the lowest total two dice can make is 2. A roll of 4 could shut the 1 and the 3, for example. Once you are allowed to roll a single die, a roll of 1 can shut the 1 tile on its own.
When can you roll one die with 12 numbers?
The one-die rule for 12-number boxes changes from box to box. Some players allow one die once the 7, 8 and 9 are shut, as in the classic game. Others wait until every tile from 7 to 12 is shut. Agree which rule you are using before you start.
What are the odds of shutting the box with 12 numbers?
The odds of shutting the box with 12 numbers are very small, even if you make the best choice on every roll. We worked out every possible game:
| Rule | Chance of shutting the box with best play |
|---|---|
| Always two dice | 0.36% (about 1 in 276) |
| One die allowed once 7 to 12 are shut | 0.47% (about 1 in 210) |
Our two-dice figure matches the one published by Durango Bill's Shut the Box analysis. For the 9-number game the chance is about 1 in 10; see the odds of shutting the box.
What is a good score with 12 numbers?
A good score with 12 numbers is anything under 35. With best play, half of all 12-number games end on 35 or less, and the average is also about 35. A score of 20 or less happens in only about 1 game in 8, even for the best players.
12-number boxes for two players
Some 12-number Shut the Box boxes are made for two players, with a set of tiles for each player so both can play at the same time. The rules for each player's tiles are the same as above. See how to play with 2, 4 or more players.