4 Player Shut the Box

The game Shut the Box is said to have been invented in 12th Century France. Legend has it that Shut the Box was a cherished game among sailors and fishermen off the coast of Normandy some 200 years ago. Another account states that Shut the Box was played by 19th Century fur trappers of the Hudson Bay Company. Today, Shut the Box is still played for stakes and is a favorite pub game in England.

This version allows for four people to play at once! Each person gets their own pair of colored resin dice so each player can continue to roll at the exact same time. Add in some fun gameplay variations like stopping the game when someone shuts the box for an extra challenge. 

The game has several names including Canoga, Tric-Trac, and Batten Down the Hatches. The rules and equipment vary from one locale to the next but Shut the Box will hone your basic math skills while keeping you entertained for hours.

Click here to download instructions and a scoresheet.