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Turing Machine

1-4 players 20-20 min 7.6 Board Game Geek Rating

Players race to crack a secret code using an analog computer made of perforated cards. This competitive deduction game simulates questioning a primitive machine through clever inquiries. Victory goes to whoever deciphers the hidden sequence first. With over seven million puzzles ranging from simple to complex, the game offers endless cerebral challenges in competitive, cooperative, or solo modes.

Published 2022

Turing Machine

Get Ready

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

1
Place the machine tile
Put the Tuile machine in the center of the table
2
Assemble the card holder
Build the support for punched cards and keep it assembled for storage
3
Organize punched cards
Place all cards in the support with all 1s at front, then all 2s behind, and so on
4
Choose a problem
Select a problem from the booklet or online at turingmachine.info
5
Set up Criteria cards
Place the indicated Criteria cards in front of each verifier (A, B, C, D, and sometimes E, F)
6
Set up Verification cards
Place Verification cards face-down next to each corresponding Criteria card
7
Distribute player materials
Give each player one aide-mémoire (reference card/screen) and one note sheet
8
Mark unused verifiers
Cross out columns for Verifiers E and F if they are not used in the current problem
9
Record game number
If playing an online problem, note the game number on your sheet

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Structure overview
The game plays in identical rounds where all players act simultaneously through four phases
2
Create your proposal
Stack 3 punched cards of different colors to form a 3-digit code (one triangle value, one square value, one circle value)
3
Record your proposal
Write down your proposed code on your note sheet for the current round
4
Handle card shortages
If a card you need is unavailable, wait for another player to finish and return it
5
Query up to 3 verifiers
You may interrogate a maximum of 3 verifiers per round without changing your proposal
6
Position the Verification card
Place the verifier's Verification card under your stacked punched cards, aligning corner markers
7
Read the response
Look through the single remaining hole in your cards to see the verifier's answer
8
Record all responses
Mark V (pass) or X (fail) in the corresponding column on your note sheet
9
Return Verification cards
Replace each card face-down in front of its correct verifier immediately after use
10
Keep responses secret
Your proposal and which verifiers you query are visible, but responses remain hidden
11
Return punched cards
Place your cards back in the support
12
Analyze your results
Review all responses and determine what criteria each verifier might be checking
13
Update your notes
Cross out eliminated values and record deductions for each verifier
14
Determine if solved
Assess whether you have identified the unique code satisfying all criteria
15
Signal simultaneously
On a count of three, all players point thumbs up (found the code) or thumbs down (still searching)
16
Continue if needed
If no one points up, begin a new round
17
Proceed to verification
If one or more players point up, move to the verification phase

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Write your answer
Players who believe they found the code write it clearly and secretly on their note sheet
2
Check the solution
Verify your code using the SOLUTIONS section on page 3 or the website's dedicated button
3
Determine the winner
Among players with the correct code, the one who asked THE FEWEST total questions wins
4
Resolve ties
If multiple correct players asked the same number of questions, they all win together
5
Prove your answer
Demonstrate your correct code by composing it with punched cards and passing all verifiers' tests
6
Eliminate wrong guesses
Players who guess incorrectly are eliminated from the game
7
Win by default
If only one player remains after eliminations, that player wins automatically
8
Clean up after game
Erase all V marks from the backs of Verification cards when the game ends
9
Challenge the AI
Visit turingmachine.info and solve problems using only one note sheet, alone or as a team
10
Compare your performance
After finding the code, click "Have you beaten the MACHINE?" to see how the AI performed
11
Victory condition
Win by matching or beating the AI's number of rounds and questions
12
Follow standard rules
You may still ask a maximum of 3 questions per round

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

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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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