Math Game Monday: Shut the Box (Cards)

This game builds mental math skills in young students, and is fun for all ages.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Shut the Box (Cards)

Math Concepts: addition, number bonds up to nine.
Players: two to four.
Equipment: one deck of playing cards, two six-sided dice.

How to Play

Each player lays out the ace through ten of one suit, face up.

On your turn, roll the dice and add the numbers together. Turn face down one or more of your cards whose numbers add up to make that sum.

For instance, if you roll a six and a four, you could choose the 8 and 2, or the 6 and 4, or the 7 and 2 and 1, or any other combination that makes a sum of ten. If you cannot turn down the full amount of your roll, you lose that turn.

Pass the dice to the next player.

If all the higher numbers are already covered, a player may choose to roll only one die.

The first player to turn down all their cards wins the game.

Variations

Traditionally, each player takes a single, long turn. You keep playing until you roll a sum you can’t make, and then you add up the uncovered numbers to make your score. Pass the cards and dice to the next player. Whoever gets the lowest score wins the game.

Older students can add the jack (=11) and queen (=12) for a greater challenge.

Children may also enjoy playing Shut the Box as a solitaire game.

Plus or Minus: Players may choose to turn down either the sum or difference of the numbers on their dice. Subtraction offers more options near the end of the game, when there are only a few numbers left.

History

Shut the Box is a traditional English pub game, also known as Canoga, which may have been played as early as the twelfth century in Normandy. The “box” is a wooden tray with a row of numbers one to nine along the top length, each with a cover that can either slide or swing to hide the number. As a gambling game, each player would ante an agreed amount into a pool, which would be awarded to the winner.