Mastermind is available as part of Higgster’s Games Compendium, with no adverts, downloadable for all Apple and Android tablets/phones.
Mastermind is a classic code-breaking board game for two players, where one player creates a secret code and the other player tries to guess the code within a certain number of attempts. The game involves deduction, logic, and pattern recognition.
Here’s how to play Mastermind:
Objective: The code maker’s goal is to create a secret code, and the code breaker’s goal is to guess the code within a limited number of attempts.
Setup:
- The code maker (the game) chooses a secret code. In the original games, the code can consist of any combination of colors but to make our game accessible for all, we use emoji characters!
- The code maker then places the pegs in a hidden row, keeping the code secret from the code breaker.
Gameplay:
- The code breaker begins by making a guess by placing a sequence of emoji in a row on the game board.
- After each guess, the code maker provides feedback to the code breaker using icons.
- Tick (Check) icons indicate that a guessed character is the correct color and in the correct position.
- Warning icons, indicate that a guessed peg is the correct color but in the wrong position.
Winning: The code breaker has a limited number of attempts to guess the secret code. The game ends under the following conditions:
- The code breaker guesses the correct code within the allowed attempts (12). The code breaker wins.
- The code breaker uses up all the allowed attempts without guessing the correct code. The code maker wins.
Strategy:
- Start with a balanced first guess that includes a variety of colors to gather information about the colors present in the code.
- Use the feedback (black and white pegs) from each guess to narrow down the possibilities for the correct code.
- Adjust your guesses based on the feedback received. For example, if you get several white pegs, you know some colors are correct but not in the right position.
- Eliminate colors that have been ruled out by receiving no pegs of their color in the feedback.
- With each guess, try to find a combination that not only matches the feedback but also rules out a large number of possibilities.
Mastermind is a game of deduction and pattern recognition, and it can be quite challenging and rewarding as you narrow down possibilities and get closer to cracking the secret code. The roles of the code maker and code breaker can be switched for alternate rounds to experience both sides of the game.
Mastermind is available as part of Higgster’s Games Compendium, with no adverts, downloadable for all Apple and Android tablets/phones.