Mastermind is a code-breaking deduction game where one player sets a hidden pattern and the other solves it through structured guesses and feedback pegs.
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Classic four-peg Mastermind code-breaking.
Classic Mastermind is the four-position code game where one player hides an ordered color pattern and the other player uses black/white or red/white feedback pegs to solve it.
Choose a codemaker and a codebreaker, then agree whether duplicate colors and blanks are allowed for your edition. In the classic four-peg game, the codemaker secretly places a row of code pegs behind the shield. The codebreaker fills the first guess row with a complete proposed code. The codemaker then scores that guess using key pegs: one exact-match peg for each color that is correct and in the correct position, and one color-only peg for each correct color in the wrong position. The key pegs do not reveal which guessed positions caused the feedback. The codebreaker leaves the row in place, studies all previous feedback, and makes another complete guess. Play continues until the codebreaker exactly matches the hidden code or runs out of available rows. For match play, swap roles and compare the agreed scoring result after both players have made codes.
How You Rank currently treats the classic Mastermind variant as winner-only. If you play a one-round game, record the winner according to whether the codebreaker solved the code under the row limit. If you play a full match, many groups compare the number of guesses needed after both players have served as codemaker; use the match winner and add guess counts in notes.
Record the winner. Add notes for number of guesses, whether repeats or blanks were allowed, and whether you played a single code or a two-role match.