TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES
The game is based on the 1978-1980 Alex Trebek version, itself based on Shut the Box, which I've run a few times.
For the first match, the first player will be on the left and the second player will be on the right. In subsequent matches, the challenger replaces the loser's spot.
MAIN GAME
I will add one prize to each column of the number board that does not already have five of them, then place the numbers from 1 to 9 at random on the board. There will usually be one "hot column" (zero or two hot columns are mathematically possible)—a column whose three numbers add up to 12 or less, allowing them to be cleared with one roll of the dice. I may ask players to predict the hot column and/or make a prediction myself; this is just for fun and has no real bearing on the game.
When the numbers have been randomized, I will ask both players a tossup question. In most cases, questions are multiple choice, yes/no, or true/false; I may ask a question that does not fit any of those three if I think it is easy without choices. If the first player to answer (it must be in bold to be judged) gets it right, he or she may choose whether to roll or pass the dice to the other player; if he or she gets it wrong, the opponent may choose between rolling or making the original player roll. If both contestants pass, no one answers within 24 hours, or a non-participant answers, I will throw it out and ask a new question.
When it's your turn to roll, throw a 2d6 in thread once only. I will first check if it is a double; if it is, you gain an insurance marker. I will then check whether the roll itself is good; if it is, you will be able to clear off numbers which add up to the roll. You are not allowed to repeat a number when choosing what to clear, nor are you allowed to choose a number cleared earlier in the game. A bad roll costs you an insurance marker if you have one and the game if you don't. (Remember what I said, though: I will check if your roll is a double before I check if it's a good roll. If the double itself is bad, you
ARE
allowed to reroll the dice. The reasoning behind having 2 and 12 in the good numbers board is so you can do a visual check of whether you need to reroll without me telling you.)In the unlikely event that every number except 1 is cleared, the next correct answer will win the game. You cannot win by default in this situation—if your opponent answers incorrectly to a question that has only two choices, I will ask a new question; otherwise, you may answer or pass.
If you clear the last number of a column, the prizes therein will be placed on your side of the prize board. You must win the game, either by you clearing the last number on the board or your opponent rolling a bad number, to win the prizes. If you end up losing, the prizes go back on the board where they were.
The first player to win two games wins the match and goes on to play the Big Numbers round. Insurance markers do not transfer from game to game or from the main game to the bonus round.
BIG NUMBERS ROUND
The numbers 1 through 9 will be placed as usual, except this time in order. Except for the insurance markers, which have the same rules as before, this is a straight Shut the Box game—the only prize is $10,000 and a car for clearing the board. If you lose, either through a bad roll or clearing everything except the 1, you get $250 for each number cleared.
QUEUE
BS2000
jmj3000
animorpherv1
JasonWazza
xtopherusD
NoWhammies11
JerryArr
LEADER BOARD
- doctorwho, $25,976, 1 win, 1 visit
- Twistedspoon, $9,174, 1 win, 1 visit
- Feirei, $600, 0 wins, 1 visit
GAMES SO FAR
1 2
