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JYDEJI

RULES & PRACTICE

How to Play Mastermind

Play Mastermind ↗

Game guide · JYDEJI

Mastermind: learn through an example

Take a moment to check the current turn. Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. The game area remains available above the explanation. The computer chooses four positions from six colours; repeated colours are allowed.

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.

Try a more deliberate round

The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Check guess records your attempt. Exact means correct colour and position; misplaced means correct colour in another position.

The challenge in front of you

Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.

Follow these playing steps

  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.

How to interact with the game

A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.

See the idea in action

Check the rule below as you play. 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 the goal in mind before your next move.

Watch out for this

Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Four misplaced matches do not mean four exact positions. Also, repeated colours must not be counted more times than they appear in the secret.

Questions that come up during play

For this game, what is the aim of Mastermind?

Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

On this page, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

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 controls work with mouse or touch.

During a round, 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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

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. The controls work with mouse or touch.

How many people can play here?

Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.

Can the secret repeat a colour?

Yes. Any of the six colours can appear more than once. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

During a round, what does misplaced mean?

The guessed colour appears in the secret but not at that position, after exact matches have been accounted for. Use the labelled controls for your next action.

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.

For this game, can I see the answer?

The answer is shown when you solve the code or use all ten guesses. The game is played locally in your browser.

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