Welcome to RS Games Shut The Box, an accessible, online, multiplayer version of the classic dice game Shut The Box! RS Games Shut The Box utilizes the RS Games client, which allows players to play against each other from around the world, via the centralized RS Games server.
To get started, you will need the RS Games client installed. TO get the RS Games client if you don't have it already, go to http://www.rsgames.org. connecting and logging into the server are covered in the RS Games client documentation. Alternatively, you can use the web client, from which you can play by using your web browser. A link to the RS Games web client can be found on our home page.
This document assumes you have read the RS Games client documentation first, for general concepts and instructions on using the client. If you have not read this document, please read it before continuing.
If you are using the web client, options referred to as keyboard commands in this document will appear as buttons on the web page.
Once you are connected, choose Shut The Box from the list of games, and you will be presented with the main menu. From there, you can create a new game, join a game, or see a list of existing games. Choose an option using the up and down arrow keys and the enter key, or by clicking on the option if you are using the web client.
When you play RS Games Shut The Box for the first time, you start out with 5000 chips. This is more than enough to get you started. Note that your chips are shared across other RS Games titles that use chips, such as Blackjack. If you have played one of these games before, your chips will be loaded into Shut the Box.
If your assets fall below 1000 chips, you can reset them to 5000 chips by choosing the Reset Chips option from the main menu. You can do this up to 3 times per day, after which you must wait until midnight Eastern Time before you can once again reset your chips.
If you choose to create a new table, you will be asked if you want to make it private. If you choose yes, you can set a password, and only those who know the password will be able to join. You will then be asked if you would like to change the betting limits. If you choose yes, you will be asked to enter a new minimum and maximum bet for the table. Otherwise, these limits will be left at the defaults and you will be entered into your table, where you can wait for players to join.
Bots are computer players who will play against you if there are no other humans around to play with, or if you want to add more players to your game. If you are the creator of the game, you can press B to add a bot, or R to remove a bot.
Once you are ready to start the game, press the Enter key.
To join a table, choose the Join table option from the main menu. You will be presented with a list of tables that are open for players, along with the people playing in each game. Choose a game from the list, and press enter. If the game is private, you will then be asked to enter the password. Once you are in the game, you must wait for the game master to start the game.
A game of Shut The Box begins with all players placing bets. Chips are placed in a pot, and the winner of the round wins all chips in the pot. The physical version of the game consists of a box with an area where players roll the dice. Lined up along the back of the box are nine tiles numbered 1 through 9 which are hinged so they may be flipped up or down. All tiles start in the up position, and the object of the game is to knock down as many tiles as possible. If a player manages to knock down all tiles in his or her turn, he or she shuts the box.
After betting is completed, each player takes their turn. When it is your turn, you will be presented with a menu in which you can roll the two dice. You must then knock down one or more tiles whose total equals the total of your dice roll. For example, if you roll a 6 and a 6 (for a total of 12), you can knock down 7 and 5, 9 and 3, 4 and 8, 9 2 and 1, or any other combination of tiles whose total is equal to 12. You will be presented with a list of all the combinations and must choose the one you want to knock down. All combinations are valid, but what you knock down will influence how long your turn lasts. Your turn continues until you roll a total for which there are no combinations of tiles in the up position that equal that total. For example, if you roll a total of 6 and have already knocked down 6, 2, 4, 1, and 5, your turn would end, since it is impossible to make a total of 6 without combinations of these tiles (the three combinations are 6, 2 and 4, 1 and 5).
If you knock down all tiles, you shut the box, and win immediately. Otherwise, play continues until all players have taken their turns.
Each player gets points for the tiles they knock down (i.e. tile 9 is worth 9 points). The player with the most points at the end of the round wins.
Between hands, the table will appear in the list of available tables so that new players may join. Of course, if your table is private, players must have the password in order to join. The game master may also postpone the start of the next hand to give players more time to join.
There are several keyboard commands that can be used to get information about your current game:
You can chat with other players at any point during game play by pressing the F2 key, typing your message into the input box and pressing enter. You can also chat at the main menu to other players who are not currently in a game, also by pressing F2.
To change the volume of the background music during the game, use F3 to lower the volume and F4 to raise the volume. You can also adjust the volume of the sound effects with F5 and F6 to lower or raise the volume, respectively.
You can opt to receive a transcript of your game, that is, an email containing the entire text of your game. When you leave a game, you will be asked if you would like to receive a transcript. If you would, choose Yes, and the transcript will be sent to the email address you used when creating your RS Games account.
Thanks to the following people for helping to create RS Games Shut The Box:
If you have any problems using any of the games released by RS Games, or have a question, bug report, suggestion, feature request, or anything else, feel free to contact RS Games by sending an email to rsgames@gmail.com.