- BGG rank
- BGG #9,380
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Mastermind
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 1971
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,031
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Mini Mastermind
1972
Rules assistance for Mini 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 1.8/5
Rules assistant for Mini Mastermind
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Mini Mastermind is a board game released in 1972 for 2 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Mordecai Meirowitz and its main mechanics are Deduction.
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About the game
The travel version of the game Mastermind. It is the same game as Mastermind, but since it is smaller, the code-breaker only has 6 rows in which to guess the solution, instead of the usual 10 in the original version. In Mini Mastermind, one player is the code-maker, and the other player is the code-breaker. The code-maker makes a code out of any combination of 4 colors (out of 6 possible colors). The code-breaker has 6 guesses to figure out the code. After each code guess, the code-maker gives a clue, by placing a black peg for every correct color in the correct position, and placing a white peg for every correct color, in the wrong position. Players generally switch roles after the code is broken or the code-breaker failed to solve the solution. Generally after the second play after roles were switched, the winner is the one who solved the code in the fewest amount of guesses. A common version came in a small 2" X 5" plastic box with a playing board cover is encased in a slipsleeve. All of the components are kept neatly inside the box.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Parker Brothers
- Hasbro
- Waddingtons
- Clipper
- Grow Jogos e Brinquedos
- Chieftain Products
- Singapore Airlines
- Invicta Games
- Dourios
- Pressman Toy Corp.
- Henry Higgins Promotions
- Krajowa Agencja Wydawnicza
Questions and answers
Mini 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 Mini 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 Mini 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.
Mini Mastermind has a complexity rating of 1.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Mini Mastermind belongs to these categories: Deduction and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Deduction. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Mini Mastermind are: Mordecai Meirowitz. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Mini 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.