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371HOTEL

RULES & PRACTICE

How to Play Mastermind

Play Mastermind ↗

Game guide · 371HOTEL

Know the goal in Mastermind

Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. The computer chooses four positions from six colours; repeated colours are allowed. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.

Four positions, six colours and ten guesses, with repeated colours allowed. This is an independently coded free colour-code puzzle, not an official branded edition.

Practice beyond the first move

Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Check guess records your attempt. Exact means correct colour and position; misplaced means correct colour in another position. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.

What you need to achieve

Check the rule below as you play. Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback.

How a round unfolds

  1. The computer chooses four positions from six colours; repeated colours are allowed.
  2. Select a code position and then choose a colour. Fill all four positions.
  3. Check guess records your attempt. Exact means correct colour and position; misplaced means correct colour in another position.
  4. Each secret peg can match only one guess peg. Use the feedback to narrow the next guess.
  5. Find all four exact positions to win. After ten unsuccessful guesses the secret code is revealed.

Input guidance

The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Tap one of four positions, then a labelled colour button. Numbers identify colours as well as the swatches. Press Check guess only when all slots are filled.

An example before you play

A careful first move helps you understand the round. For secret 1,1,2,2 and guess 1,2,1,3, feedback is one exact and two misplaced. The extra 3 has no match.

Keep this in mind

The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Four misplaced matches do not mean four exact positions. Also, repeated colours must not be counted more times than they appear in the secret. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.

Clarifying the way this game works

For this game, what is the aim of Mastermind?

Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. The game is played locally in your browser.

For this game, how do the controls work?

Tap one of four positions, then a labelled colour button. Numbers identify colours as well as the swatches. Press Check guess only when all slots are filled. No download or player account is required.

For this game, can you show an example?

For secret 1,1,2,2 and guess 1,2,1,3, feedback is one exact and two misplaced. The extra 3 has no match. The instructions above use these same rules.

On this page, which mistake should I avoid?

Four misplaced matches do not mean four exact positions. Also, repeated colours must not be counted more times than they appear in the secret. No download or player account is required.

On this page, what rules and limits are used here?

Four positions, six colours and ten guesses, with repeated colours allowed. This is an independently coded free colour-code puzzle, not an official branded edition. No download or player account is required.

When I start, how many people can play here?

Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

When I start, can the secret repeat a colour?

Yes. Any of the six colours can appear more than once. No download or player account is required.

When I start, what does misplaced mean?

The guessed colour appears in the secret but not at that position, after exact matches have been accounted for. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

On this page, are colour numbers part of the rules?

They are labels for accessibility; the number and its colour refer to the same peg choice. You can start a new round from the game controls.

When I start, can I see the answer?

The answer is shown when you solve the code or use all ten guesses. The instructions above use these same rules.

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