Number Bulls & Cows
Players take turns in trying to guess each other's number.Description
One player, the Chooser, thinks of a four-digit number and the other player, the Guesser, tries to guess it.At each turn the Guesser tries a four digit number, and the Chooser says how close it is to the answer by giving:
- The number of Bulls - digits correct in the right position.
- The number of Cows - digits correct but in the wrong position.
Guess: 1389 - Reply: 0 bulls, 0 cows.
Guess: 1234 - Reply: 0 bulls, 2 cows.
Guess: 1759 - Reply: 1 bull, 1 cow.
Guess: 1785 - Reply: 2 bulls, 0 cows.
Guess: 2745 - Reply: 4 bulls!
The Guesser tries to guess the answer in the fewest number of turns.
If either number has repeated digits the rule is that each digit can only count towards the score once, and bulls are counted before cows.
Variations
The game can be played with any agreed number of digits, from three upwards.
With younger players it's a good idea to disallow repeated digits, as it makes calculating the number of bulls and cows trickier.
To play with words try Word Bulls & Cows.
History
This traditional game has been marketed as a plastic peg game called "Mastermind".