Bulls and Cows

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GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
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Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

Here's an old game that might be familiar to some of you, either the original pencil-and-paper version or the commercial version known as "Master Mind" or "Mastermind". I've adapted it slightly for forum play.

One player chooses a secret four-digit number, which may begin with 0. (To keep it simple initially, I suggest that all four digits should be different.) The other players take it in turns to try to guess the number. For each guess, the first player gives the number of matches as follows: if a digit matches and is in the right position, it scores one "bull"; if it matches but is in the wrong position, it scores one "cow". For example:

Secret number: 3674
Guess: 5637
Answer: 1 bull and 2 cows

(The bull is "6", the cows are "3" and "7".)

The other players have up to 10 guesses between them. A player who guesses the number correctly gets to set the next number. If no player does so within 10 guesses, the first player sets again.

A player may not have two guesses in a row, unless he or she believes the second guess is the right answer. If it turns out to be wrong then that player cannot guess again in that game.

If it turns out that the first player has given a wrong answer at any point, the game is void and any other player can start a new one.

Clear? If there are no questions, I'll set the first number.
Undefeated Tumbleweed champion, Oct 2015

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GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
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Joined: 01 Aug 2011, 09:24

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

OK, guess away then!
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DrainBrain
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Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by DrainBrain »

0615 (from Olympia)?
Royal Oak to Bethnal Green in 333 days
Heathrow Terminal 4 to Amersham in 17 hours, 42 minutes and 22 seconds
GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
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Joined: 01 Aug 2011, 09:24

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

2 cows
Undefeated Tumbleweed champion, Oct 2015

Inventor of Grumbleweed, Nimbleweed, Timesnap, Postsnap and several other silly games
DavidC
Zone 6
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Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by DavidC »

5142
First to 100000 in the 2015+ Tumbleweed contest. Winner of a few rounds of a diverse range of quizzes/games. Some decent times in alternative challenges as a fiftysomething who merely walks briskly. Briefly led All The Actons.
GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
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Joined: 01 Aug 2011, 09:24

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

2 bulls, 1 cow
Undefeated Tumbleweed champion, Oct 2015

Inventor of Grumbleweed, Nimbleweed, Timesnap, Postsnap and several other silly games
DavidC
Zone 6
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Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by DavidC »

5128 ?
First to 100000 in the 2015+ Tumbleweed contest. Winner of a few rounds of a diverse range of quizzes/games. Some decent times in alternative challenges as a fiftysomething who merely walks briskly. Briefly led All The Actons.
GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
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Joined: 01 Aug 2011, 09:24

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

3 bulls. I'm afraid you're out of this round!
Undefeated Tumbleweed champion, Oct 2015

Inventor of Grumbleweed, Nimbleweed, Timesnap, Postsnap and several other silly games
GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
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Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

GuyBarry wrote:I'm afraid you're out of this round!
On second thoughts, since there are so few players I think I'll waive the rule about consecutive guesses this time. I think there are only three other possibilities anyway.
Undefeated Tumbleweed champion, Oct 2015

Inventor of Grumbleweed, Nimbleweed, Timesnap, Postsnap and several other silly games
DavidC
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Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by DavidC »

Oops - thanks !
First to 100000 in the 2015+ Tumbleweed contest. Winner of a few rounds of a diverse range of quizzes/games. Some decent times in alternative challenges as a fiftysomething who merely walks briskly. Briefly led All The Actons.
DrainBrain
Zone 6
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Joined: 04 Jun 2013, 10:42
Location: South of the Thames

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by DrainBrain »

5129?
Royal Oak to Bethnal Green in 333 days
Heathrow Terminal 4 to Amersham in 17 hours, 42 minutes and 22 seconds
GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
Posts: 5464
Joined: 01 Aug 2011, 09:24

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

3 bulls
Undefeated Tumbleweed champion, Oct 2015

Inventor of Grumbleweed, Nimbleweed, Timesnap, Postsnap and several other silly games
DavidC
Zone 6
Posts: 711
Joined: 20 Feb 2015, 22:15

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by DavidC »

5123
First to 100000 in the 2015+ Tumbleweed contest. Winner of a few rounds of a diverse range of quizzes/games. Some decent times in alternative challenges as a fiftysomething who merely walks briskly. Briefly led All The Actons.
GuyBarry
The Twilight Zone
Posts: 5464
Joined: 01 Aug 2011, 09:24

Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by GuyBarry »

3 bulls
Undefeated Tumbleweed champion, Oct 2015

Inventor of Grumbleweed, Nimbleweed, Timesnap, Postsnap and several other silly games
hopeful traveller
All Zones
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Re: Bulls and Cows

Post by hopeful traveller »

It's not 5127 is it?
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