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Grand Mastermind
1974
Rules assistance for Grand Mastermind
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 10 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.8/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Grand Mastermind
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Grand Mastermind is a board game released in 1974 for 2 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up.
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About the game
This is a variant to the original Mastermind game. In this version, the player must crack a a code that consists of four elements, each of which consists of both a color and a shape. There are five different shapes and five different colors. There are now three "Codemaker response pegs" instead of the two for the standard game. Black represents a completely correct response, blue represents a partially correct response, and white represents a correct pair in the wrong column. In some variants the STAR shape is replaced by a CIRCLE. There is an edition dated 1978 with different packaging. Re-implements: Mastermind Re-implemented by: Mastermind couleurs et formes
Questions and answers
Grand Mastermind supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Grand Mastermind is 10 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Grand Mastermind for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Grand Mastermind has a complexity rating of 2.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Grand Mastermind belongs to these categories: Deduction and Puzzle. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Grand Mastermind and want something comparable for your next game night.
The catalogue lists Grand Mastermind as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.