Game guide · CTCPX
Your guide to Mastermind
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. 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.
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
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Check guess records your attempt. Exact means correct colour and position; misplaced means correct colour in another position. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The challenge in front of you
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback.
The steps to play
- The computer chooses four positions from six colours; repeated colours are allowed.
- Select a code position and then choose a colour. Fill all four positions.
- Check guess records your attempt. Exact means correct colour and position; misplaced means correct colour in another position.
- Each secret peg can match only one guess peg. Use the feedback to narrow the next guess.
- Find all four exact positions to win. After ten unsuccessful guesses the secret code is revealed.
Using the playing area
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
One way to understand the rules
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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 game area remains available above the explanation.
A common point of confusion
Check the rule below as you play. 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
During a round, what is the aim of Mastermind?
Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, 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 controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, 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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
When I start, can the secret repeat a colour?
Yes. Any of the six colours can appear more than once. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, what does misplaced mean?
The guessed colour appears in the secret but not at that position, after exact matches have been accounted for. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, are colour numbers part of the rules?
They are labels for accessibility; the number and its colour refer to the same peg choice. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, can I see the answer?
The answer is shown when you solve the code or use all ten guesses. You can start a new round from the game controls.
