Shut the Box Strategy: 5 Tips
Shut the Box is mostly luck, but the choices you do get matter: over many games, the right habits are worth several points a turn. New here? Read the rules first.
1. Big tiles first
The 7, 8 and 9 are the hardest to shut later (only one or two dice totals reach them) and they're worth the most. Shut them whenever the roll allows.
2. One tile beats two
Shutting a single tile leaves more combinations for the next roll than shutting two tiles that add to the same number. Take the 8 over 3+5.
3. Keep the small tiles
The 1, 2 and 3 fit into almost any total, which is why they're worth keeping as "change". They also score little if you get stuck with them.
4. Switch to one die
Once 7, 8 and 9 are shut, two dice can't make 1 or 2 and rarely make 3. One die reaches every open tile with equal chance: switch as soon as you may.
5. Trust the odds
The computer on kawu plays the exact expected score for every set of tiles. When you're unsure, ask for a hint and see which set it prefers: it's the one that leaves the most ways forward.
Frequently asked questions
Should I shut the 9 or 4+5 on a nine?
Usually the 9. Shutting one big tile keeps more tiles open for later rolls and removes the most points from your score in one go.
Last updated 2026-10-20