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How to Play

Decrypto

3-8 players 15-45 min 7.8 Board Game Geek Rating

Teams compete to decode opponents' secret words while protecting their own. Each team hides four numbered words, then gives cryptic clues matching specific number sequences. Teammates must correctly interpret their clues while intercepting and cracking enemy codes. Success earns white marks, failures bring black marks. Win by earning two white marks or survive until opponents accumulate two black marks through failed communications.

Published 2018

Decrypto

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Divide into teams
Split players as evenly as possible into two teams of 2-4 players each
2
Arrange seating
All members of one team sit on the same side of the table, with opponents on the opposite side
3
Distribute screens
Each team takes one screen for hiding their keyword cards
4
Draw keyword cards
Each team randomly draws four keyword cards and places them into their screen without revealing them to opponents
5
Assign code cards
Each team takes the code card deck matching their screen color (white or black)
6
Provide note sheets
Both teams each take one note sheet to record clues given by opponents
7
Place tokens centrally
Put the sand timer, interception tokens (white), and miscommunication tokens (black) in the middle of the table

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Select an encryptor
At the start of each round, each team chooses one player to be the encryptor, rotating this role each round
2
Draw a code card
Each encryptor secretly draws one code card from their team's deck and reads the three-digit code without showing others
3
Write three clues
The encryptor writes three clues on the note sheet corresponding to the three numbers in the code
4
Announce clues clearly
The white team's encryptor reads their three clues aloud, making clear which is clue one, two, and three
5
Record opponent's clues
The opposing team writes down the announced clues on their note sheet's white section
6
Discuss and decode
Both teams discuss the clues and attempt to determine the three-digit code
7
Attempt interception first
The black team announces their guess of the white team's code first (except in round one where no interception occurs)
8
Teammates decode
The white team then announces what they believe is the correct code
9
Reveal the code
The white team's encryptor shows the code card to confirm the answer
10
Award interception token
If the black team correctly guessed all three numbers in order, they receive one white interception token
11
Assign miscommunication token
If the white team's guess was incorrect, they receive one black miscommunication token
12
Switch teams
Repeat steps 3-7 with the black team's encryptor giving clues and the white team attempting interception
13
Record clues by keyword
At the bottom of your note sheet, organize all clues by which number they correspond to for easier pattern recognition
14
Return code cards
After both teams reveal their codes, return the cards to their decks and reshuffle
15
Check end conditions
Determine if any team has achieved victory or defeat before starting a new round

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Win by interception
If your team collects 2 interception tokens, your team wins the game immediately
2
Lose by miscommunication
If your team collects 2 miscommunication tokens, your team loses the game immediately
3
Resolve simultaneous conditions
If one condition is met, the game ends immediately; otherwise begin a new round
4
Handle ties with tokens
If both teams simultaneously reach 2 interception tokens and 2 miscommunication tokens, calculate scores
5
Break remaining ties
If scores are still tied, each team guesses the opponent's four keywords
6
Three-player variant victory
The interceptor wins by collecting 2 interception tokens within five rounds; otherwise the encoding team wins

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

Decrypto - Instrukcja

Decrypto - Instrukcja

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DECRYPTO | Como Jogar & Gameplay

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FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

PDF RULEBOOK

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