Decrypto rules: how to play and how to win

Decrypto quick rules

The goal

Two teams, White and Black, each have four secret Keywords, numbered 1 to 4 behind their Screen. Each round, each team’s Encryptor gets a three-digit code across to their teammates, without the other team working it out too.

Clues

The Encryptor draws a Code Card, for example 4.2.1, and writes three clues, one per digit, each tied to the Keyword with that number: “cactus” for “sombrero,” Keyword 4. Both Encryptors write at the same time; the first to finish flips the sand timer, and the other has 30 seconds.

Decrypting and intercepting

The White Encryptor reads their clues; each team quietly discusses and writes the code it thinks is right. Black announces its Interception, then White its decryption, and the Encryptor reveals the code. Then repeat with the Black Encryptor. No Interception in the first round.

Tokens

The other team gets an Interception Token if it guesses the code exactly; a failed interception costs nothing. A team that misses its own code gets a Miscommunication Token; getting it right earns nothing. Note the clues under the right Keyword to intercept better later.

Forbidden clues

A clue is about a Keyword’s meaning, never its spelling, number of letters, position on the Screen or pronunciation. Public information only, each clue once per game, and never one of your Keywords.

The end of the game

Always finish the round. A team with 2 Interceptions wins, a team with 2 Miscommunications loses; the game also ends after 8 rounds. Tiebreaker: +1 per Interception and −1 per Miscommunication, then the most enemy Keywords guessed, otherwise a shared victory.

With three players

A lone Interceptor faces two Encryptors, who alone give codes. The Interceptor gets a token when guessing their code, and also when they miss their own; with 2 tokens in 5 rounds or fewer, they win, otherwise the Encryptors do.

Beginner traps

First clues that are too obvious give your Keywords away by round two: change your angle. But stay clear, because two Miscommunications are enough to lose. And when your teammate is the Encryptor, don’t read their face: they keep a straight face.

How to win Decrypto

Victory

Decrypto has no points: at the end of a round, a team with 2 Interception Tokens wins.

Defeat

A team with 2 Miscommunication Tokens loses, and the other team wins.

Tiebreaker

If both conditions happen in the same round, or after 8 rounds with no end: +1 per Interception, −1 per Miscommunication; then the most enemy Keywords guessed; otherwise a shared victory. The Ludingo sheet records the tokens and how the game ended, for the record.

Example ending

Round 5: White intercepts Black’s code for its 2nd Interception, but also misses its own code for its 2nd Miscommunication. Black has 1 Interception and 0 Miscommunications. Tiebreaker: White has 2 − 2 = 0 points, Black 1 − 0 = 1 point: Black wins.

Common mistakes

• Stopping the game mid-round: always finish the round before checking.
• Thinking a failed interception costs a Miscommunication: it costs nothing.
• Forgetting there is no Interception in the first round.
• Forgetting the Keyword tiebreaker when points are tied.

How to set up Decrypto

Setup takes about 2 minutes. Follow the part for your player count for teams; the components are the same for everyone.