Shut the Box is the classic dice game of Normandy pubs and English taverns. Nine numbered tiles stand upright in a wooden box; on your turn you roll two dice and shut any combination of tiles whose numbers add up to the dice total. Keep rolling and shutting until no tile combination matches — then the numbers still standing become your penalty, and the lowest penalty wins.

Here you can play Shut the Box online free, straight from the browser: hit Quick Play to join a table in seconds, or create a room and share its code so you and your friends can play 2 to 4 players. Shut all nine tiles and you "shut the box" — an instant win.

• Completely free — plays in any modern browser, no app needed
• Quick match puts you at a real table in seconds
• Private rooms with invite codes for 2–4 players
• Authentic pub rules: subset tile combinations, one-die option when 7·8·9 are shut
• Tables at multiple stake levels for beginners and pros alike

→ Full Shut the Box rules · Glossary

Shut the Box in a nutshell

Tiles 1–9 all start upright. Roll two dice and shut any non-empty group of open tiles whose numbers sum to the dice total — a roll of 8 may shut the 8 alone, or 7+1, 6+2, 5+3, 5+2+1, or 4+3+1. Once 7, 8 and 9 are all shut you may roll one die instead of two. If no combination of open tiles matches your roll, your turn ends and the sum of the standing tiles becomes your penalty (up to 45). Shut all nine tiles and you win instantly. After everyone has played one turn, the lowest penalty wins.

Frequently asked questions

How many tiles are used in Shut the Box?

Nine tiles, numbered 1 to 9, all standing upright at the start of each turn. (Variants exist with 10 or 12 tiles; this site plays the classic 9-tile pub game.)

How many players play Shut the Box?

Two to four players here, each playing their own complete turn with a fresh box. The game is also famous as a solitaire pastime.

Which tiles can I shut for a roll?

Any non-empty group of still-open tiles whose numbers sum to the dice total. A roll of 8 may shut the 8 alone, or 7+1, 6+2, 5+3, 5+2+1, or 4+3+1.

When can I roll one die instead of two?

Once the 7, 8 and 9 tiles are all shut you may choose a single die. While any of 7, 8 or 9 is open, both dice are compulsory.

What happens if I cannot shut any tile?

Your turn ends and the sum of the tiles still standing becomes your penalty — anywhere from 1 to 45 points. Lower is better.

What is "shutting the box"?

Closing all nine tiles during your turn. It is an instant win: the game ends immediately and no other player completes their turn.

Who wins if nobody shuts the box?

After everyone has played one turn, the player with the lowest penalty (fewest pips left standing) wins. Ties are broken by seat order on this site.

Is this Shut the Box game really free?

Yes — you can play Shut the Box online free at shutthebox.yeeqia.com directly in your browser, no download or sign-up required to try a table. Chips are purely virtual.

Does Shut the Box work on mobile?

Yes — the site is mobile-first and runs in any modern Android or iOS browser, with a full English interface.

© 2026 Yeeqia Games — Shut the Box online · Rules · Glossary