Bulls and Cows facts for kids

4digits, a computer version of Bulls and Cows.

Bulls and Cows (also known as Cows and Bulls or Pigs and Bulls) is a classic code-breaking game. It's a fun paper and pencil game for two or more players. You might know a similar game called Mastermind, but Bulls and Cows came first! This game has been around for a long time, maybe even over 100 years. You can play it using numbers or words.

Playing with Numbers

This version of Bulls and Cows usually uses numbers. Most often, players pick a secret 4-digit number. But you can also play with 3 digits or more!

Here's how it works:

• Each player secretly writes down a 4-digit number.
• All the digits in your secret number must be different. For example, 1234 is okay, but 1123 is not.
• Then, players take turns guessing the other person's secret number.
• After each guess, the person with the secret number gives a hint.

The hints are called "bulls" and "cows":

• A "bull" means you guessed a digit correctly, and it's in the right place.
• A "cow" means you guessed a digit correctly, but it's in the wrong place.

Let's look at an example:

• Imagine the secret number is 4271.
• Your opponent guesses: 1234
• The answer would be: 1 bull and 2 cows.
  • The "2" is a bull because it's in the right spot.
  • The "4" and "1" are cows because they are in the secret number but in different spots.

The first player to guess the other person's secret number wins! The goal is to win in the fewest guesses possible. You can also play this game in teams. Team members can talk about their strategy before making a guess.

Bulls and Cows is a simple game with clear rules. Because it's fun and challenging, many computer versions have been made. It's often found on phones and other devices.

Playing with Words

This version of Bulls and Cows is similar to the number game. Instead of numbers, you use words! It's usually played by saying the words out loud. However, it's often easier if players write down their guesses and notes.

Here's how the word game works:

• One person, called the Host, thinks of a secret word.
• The word should be an isogram. This means all the letters in the word are different. For example, "HEAT" is an isogram, but "APPLE" is not because it has two "P"s.
• The Host tells everyone how many letters are in the secret word (for example, 4 letters).
• Other players, called Guessers, try to figure out the word. They guess isogram words with the same number of letters.
• For each guessed word, the Host tells how many "Cows" and "Bulls" there are.
  • A "Cow" means a letter is in the word but in the wrong spot.
  • A "Bull" means a letter is in the word and in the correct spot.

Let's try an example:

• The secret word is HEAT.
• If someone guesses COIN, the Host says: "0 Bulls, 0 Cows." (None of the letters match.)
• If someone guesses EATS, the Host says: "0 Bulls, 3 Cows." (The letters E, A, and T are in the secret word, but not in the right places.)
• If someone guesses TEAL, the Host says: "2 Bulls, 1 Cow." (The letters E and A are in the right places, while T is in the wrong place.)

The game continues until a player guesses "4 Bulls" (or whatever number of letters are in the word). This means they have guessed the secret word exactly!