⚾ Number Baseball
A classic logic deduction game
Number Baseball
📖 Game Rules
- • Guess the number with unique digits
- • Strike: Correct digit in correct position
- • Ball: Correct digit in wrong position
- • Out: No matching digits
Related Games
What is Number Baseball?
Number Baseball is a classic logic deduction game where you guess a computer-generated number through logical reasoning. Popular since the 1980s in Korea, it's known as "Bulls and Cows" or "Mastermind" in English-speaking countries. Despite simple rules, it requires deep strategic thinking, making it enjoyable for all ages from children to adults.
How to Play
- Number Generation: Computer generates a 3-digit or 4-digit number with unique digits
- Guess: Player enters a number (no duplicate digits allowed)
- Feedback: Check the number of strikes and balls
- Strike: Both digit and position match
- Ball: Digit exists but position is wrong
- Out: No matching digits
- Repeat: Continue until all positions are correct
- Win: Game ends when all digits are correctly placed
Detailed Rules
Number Constraints
- No Duplicates: Cannot use the same digit twice (e.g., 112, 223 invalid)
- No Leading Zero: First digit must be 1-9
- Zero Allowed: Zero can appear in non-leading positions (e.g., 102, 305)
Scoring Examples
| Answer | Guess | Result | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | 123 | 3S 0B | All positions match (Win) |
| 123 | 132 | 1S 2B | 1 matches position, 2 and 3 are present but wrong positions |
| 123 | 321 | 0S 3B | All digits present but all positions wrong |
| 123 | 456 | 0S 0B (Out) | No matching digits |
| 123 | 124 | 2S 0B | 1 and 2 match positions, 3 and 4 are absent |
Strategies by Difficulty
3-Digit Numbers (Beginner)
3-digit mode is relatively easy, recommended for beginners. Total combinations: 9 × 9 × 8 = 648
Recommended Strategy
- First Attempt: Start with consecutive digits like "123"
- 0S 0B → 1, 2, 3 are all absent
- 1S 2B → All present but positions need rearranging
- 3S 0B → Correct answer!
- Second Attempt: Adjust digit combination based on first result
- Lock Positions: Fix positions that show strikes
- Elimination: Exclude digits that resulted in outs
4-Digit Numbers (Advanced)
4-digit mode is significantly harder. Total combinations: 9 × 9 × 8 × 7 = 4,536
Recommended Strategy
- Information Gathering: Use diverse digits in first 2-3 attempts
- First: 1234
- Second: 5678
- Third: 0129 (including 0)
- Identify Digits: Determine which digits are included
- Position Deduction: Use ball and strike info to deduce positions
- Verification: Formulate and test hypotheses iteratively
Example Gameplay
Example 1: Quick Solution (3-digit, 5 attempts)
Answer: 572 (player doesn't know)
| Attempt | Guess | Result | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123 | 1S 0B | 2 is somewhere in the answer |
| 2 | 456 | 0S 2B | Contains 5 and either 4 or 6 |
| 3 | 789 | 0S 1B | Contains 7 |
| 4 | 527 | 2S 1B | 5 and 2 positions locked, 7 wrong position |
| 5 | 572 | 3S 0B | Correct! |
Advanced Tips
1. Information Maximization Strategy
Initial attempts should focus on gathering information rather than guessing the answer. Use as many different digits as possible to identify which digits are included.
2. Strike-First Strategy
Strikes provide more valuable information than balls. When you get a strike, lock that position and only modify other positions.
3. Use Elimination
Never reuse digits that resulted in outs. This quickly reduces the number of possible combinations.
4. Pattern Recognition
- 3S 0B: Correct answer!
- 2S 1B: 3 digits confirmed, adjust 1 position
- 1S 2B: 3 digits confirmed, adjust 2 positions
- 0S 3B: 3 digits confirmed, all positions wrong
Educational Benefits
Logical Thinking
Requires logical deduction with limited information, improving logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mathematical Intuition
Develops intuitive understanding of combinations and probability, learning combinatorics concepts hands-on.
Focus and Perseverance
Multiple attempts to gradually reach the answer builds concentration and patience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are the computer-generated numbers truly random?
Yes, we use JavaScript's Math.random() function to generate different numbers each time. The algorithm ensures unique digits are selected.
What's the average number of attempts?
3-digit: Average 6-8 attempts
4-digit: Average 10-15 attempts
Experienced players can solve 3-digit in 4-5 attempts and 4-digit in 7-10 attempts.
What's the minimum possible attempts?
Theoretically, both 3-digit and 4-digit can be solved in 1 attempt (with extreme luck). However, with logical approach, realistically 3-digit minimum is 3-4 attempts and 4-digit is 5-6 attempts.
Can the answer start with 0?
No, the first digit is always 1-9. However, 0 can appear in subsequent positions. For example, numbers like "102" and "508" are possible.
Can I play on mobile?
Yes, it works perfectly on mobile browsers. You can enter numbers using the touch keyboard and enjoy the game.
