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Mastermind: what to know before playing

Build familiarity through play

Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.

Your objective

Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.

How to proceed

  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

Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.

Learn from a sample situation

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.

Where a round can go wrong

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.

Helpful answers for players

On this page, what is the aim of Mastermind?

Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.

When I start, 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.

When I start, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.

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. 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. No download or player account is required.

How many people can play here?

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

During a round, can the secret repeat a colour?

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

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. A new round resets the current game.

During a round, are colour numbers part of the rules?

They are labels for accessibility; the number and its colour refer to the same peg choice. The controls work with mouse or touch.

When I start, can I see the answer?

The answer is shown when you solve the code or use all ten guesses. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.