How to play Picas y Fijas
Picas y Fijas is a two-player deduction game, known in English as Bulls and Cows and closely related to Mastermind. Each player hides a secret code and the first to crack their opponent's code wins. It is free and runs in the browser, with nothing to install.
- Each player registers a username and protects it with a 4-to-8-digit PIN. The name is also used in the ranking.
- One player creates the game and picks the rules:
- Mode: numbers 0-9 or colors (4, 6 or 8 colors, Mastermind style).
- Positions: 3, 4, 5 or 6.
- Repeats: allowed or not.
- Attempt limit: none, 6 or 10 per player.
- Time per turn: none, 30 s, 60 s or 2 min.
- Visibility: public (lobby) or private (code only).
- Reveal codes at the end: off by default; when enabled, each player sees their opponent's secret after the game.
- The other player joins from the lobby or with the code, and sets their own secret with the same rules.
- Players take turns guessing. Each guess is answered with Fixed and Present.
- Whoever cracks the opponent's code first wins. If the player who started cracks it, the other gets one last try to tie. With an attempt limit, if nobody cracks it → draw.
- When it ends: a Rematch button (same settings, same opponent). When one proposes it, the other sees “Go to rematch”.
Fixed (F) = correct digit in the correct position. Present (P) = correct digit in a different position.
Colors mode: same F/P scoring, colored pegs instead of digits.
Asynchronous play: without a turn timer, you can return to the lobby and continue minutes or hours later; your opponent can also play when available.
Timer: when it reaches 0, the turn automatically passes to the opponent. If someone returns to the lobby, the clock stops until both return. A temporary manual pause is only available in timed games.
Leaving or cancelling: returning to the lobby does not delete the game. The creator can cancel a game that is still waiting for an opponent. Abandoning a game in progress awards the win to the opponent and records a loss.
Made it to the end? You already have an advantage.
Discover strategies for every game type.
📘 Download the strategy guide (PDF)
Discover strategies for every game type.
📘 Download the strategy guide (PDF)