The Ultimate Guide: How to Play Turing Machine

Hey everyone! Ready to burn some brain cells and feel like Alan Turing himself? In Turing Machine, we're going to dive headfirst into the world of cryptanalysis, using a super analog proto-computer to decipher secret codes. Forget electricity and electronics, here artificial intelligence is made of paper and holes!

Game Objective

Your objective in Turing Machine is to be the first to discover the unique secret code that satisfies all the Verifiers. Think of the Verifiers as small artificial intelligences, each with a specific criterion to check. The code you're looking for is a sequence of 3 numbers, each between 1 and 5. As soon as you unravel all the criteria, the code will reveal itself!

Setup

Let's set up the table to begin this deductive adventure:

1. Place the Machine Tile in the center of the table. It's the heart of your proto-computer!
2. Assemble the Punch Card Holder. Don't worry about disassembling it later, it can be stored assembled in the box.
3. Organize the Punch Cards in the holder: all "1" cards in front, followed by "2"s, and so on.
4. Choose a Problem to solve. Problems 01 to 16 are great for beginners. For our example, we'll use Problem 01. You can even find millions of other problems online!
5. Position the Criterion Cards in front of the corresponding Verifier, according to the chosen problem. For example, for Problem 01:
   • Verifier A: card 4
   • Verifier B: card 9
   • Verifier C: card 11
   • Verifier D: card 14

   Remember: a Verifier is a "fictional entity," not a player!

6. Place the Verification Cards face down in front of each indicated Verifier (next to the Criterion Card). For Problem 01:
   • A: 447
   • B: 646
   • C: 566
   • D: 322

   Tip: Mark the corresponding letter on the back of each Verification Card (A, B, C, or D) to avoid confusion.

7. Give each player a Player Aid (which also serves as a shield) and a Note Sheet. If playing online, write down the game number.
8. Draw a line over columns E and F of the Verifiers on your Note Sheet, as they will not be used in this game.

The Game Turn

In Turing Machine, rounds are identical, and all players act individually and simultaneously. Get ready for action!

1. Compose Your Proposal

In this phase, you will create your "question" for the machine. Choose 3 punch cards of different colors (one ▲ number, one ■ number, and one ● number) and overlap them to form your 3-number proposal. If you need a card another player is using, just wait for them to finish.

2. Ask

Now it's time to test your proposal! You can ask up to 3 Verifiers per round, without changing your proposal. To ask, place the chosen Verifier's Verification Card under your proposal, aligning it correctly with the punch cards using the symbols in the corners (○ □ △).

The Verifier will answer whether your proposal passed (✅) or failed (❌) their test. You will see the answer through the hole that appears when overlapping the punch cards. Mark a ✅ or ❌ in the corresponding space on your Note Sheet. Remember that the Verifier's answer doesn't give you information about the code, but rather about the criterion it is checking!

3. Deduce

After asking your questions, return the Punch Cards to the holder and analyze the answers. Use your Note Sheet to record your deductions. It's crucial to write down your proposals and the answers obtained for each Verifier. Use the bottom section to write down the information you discovered from each Verifier and, if identified, the exact criterion.

Tips for Notes:

• Each round, write your proposal on the current round's line.
• Write the answers (✅ or ❌) from each Verifier in the corresponding column. This is mandatory to keep track of the number of questions.
• Use the section to cross out numbers you have eliminated.
• At the bottom, write down the information you discovered about each Verifier.
• When you are sure, write the Verifier's criterion in the indicated space.

4. End of Round

When all players have finished their questions and deductions, extend a closed fist and count to 3. On "3," everyone reveals their thumbs:

• Thumb up: You think you've discovered the code!
• Thumb down: You haven't discovered the code yet.

If no one puts their thumb up, a new round begins. If one or more players put their thumb up, we move to the Verification and End of Game section.

End of Game and Scoring

If one or more players believe they have discovered the code, they must secretly write it on their Note Sheet. Then, each one checks, one at a time, the SOLUTIONS section on page 3 of the booklet or uses the online app to verify if the code is correct.

• If more than one person is correct, the winner is the one who discovered the code by asking the FEWEST NUMBER of questions. That's why recording your answers is super important! In case of a tie in the number of questions, all tied players win.
• To prove your code is correct, compose it with the Punch Cards and ensure it passes all Verifiers' tests!
• If no one discovered the correct code, the players who were wrong are eliminated, and the game continues for the others. If only one player remains, they are automatically the winner!

At the end of the game, don't forget to erase the ✅ on the back of the Verification Cards.

Tips for Winning

1. Write Everything Down, and Write It Well! Your Note Sheet is your best friend. Every ✅ and ❌ is a valuable clue. Cross out eliminated possibilities and record discovered information from each Verifier. Good organization of notes speeds up your deductions.
2. Each Verifier is Essential: Remember that you will need the criterion of all Verifiers to discover the code. No criterion is superfluous. Think about how each answer helps you eliminate options and focus on the information you still lack.
3. Keep the Proposal Fixed in the Round: You can only ask up to 3 Verifiers per round, but always with the same proposal. Think strategically about which proposal will give you the most information about the criteria of the Verifiers you haven't yet deciphered. A well-thought-out proposal can give you clues about multiple criteria at once!