Overview

Coda (also known as Da Vinci Code) is a deduction game where players try to crack each other’s secret codes — sequences of numbered tiles arranged in a hidden row. On each turn, you draw a new tile, guess an opponent’s tile, and either gain information or reveal one of your own. The last player with tiles still standing wins.

Components

• 26 numbered plastic tiles: 13 black (numbered 0-11 plus one dash/wild) and 13 white (numbered 0-11 plus one dash/wild)

Setup

1. Shuffle all 26 tiles face down.
2. Each player draws tiles depending on player count:
   • 2 players: 4 tiles each
   • 3 players: 3 tiles each
   • 4 players: 3 tiles each
3. Each player arranges their tiles face-up toward themselves (hidden from opponents) in a row following the arrangement rule: tiles must be in ascending numerical order from left to right. If two tiles have the same number, the black tile goes to the left of the white tile.
4. Remaining tiles form a draw pile in the center.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Draw one tile from the draw pile (look at it secretly).
2. Guess one of an opponent’s tiles by pointing to it and declaring a number.
3. If correct, the opponent knocks that tile down (reveals it). You may guess again or stop.
4. If incorrect, you must insert the tile you drew into your code row (standing up, visible to opponents) in its correct sorted position.

Actions

Drawing

• Take one tile from the face-down draw pile and look at it secretly.

Guessing

• Point to any standing (unrevealed) tile in an opponent’s row and declare a number (0-11 or dash).
• Correct guess: The opponent knocks that tile face-up (revealed). You may immediately make another guess against any opponent, or choose to stop and insert your drawn tile into your code (face down, hidden).
• Wrong guess: Your turn ends. Insert the tile you drew into your row, but it must be placed standing up (revealed to all), in its correct sorted position.

Inserting a Tile

• Place the drawn tile in your code row in ascending order. If you stopped guessing voluntarily (after a correct guess), insert it face-down (hidden). If you guessed wrong, insert it face-up (revealed).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Continue playing until only one player has at least one tile still standing (unrevealed). That player wins.

In a 2-player game, you can also play a series of rounds and track wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Arrangement rule: Tiles must always be in ascending numerical order left to right. Same numbers: black goes left of white.
• Dash tile (wild): The dash tile can be placed anywhere in your row — it acts as a wild and can be inserted at any position. When guessing, you must specifically guess “dash” to identify it.
• Revealed tiles: Once a tile is knocked down, it remains visible. This provides information to all players.
• Empty draw pile: If the draw pile runs out, players skip the draw step and simply make guesses on their turn.
• Consecutive correct guesses: After a correct guess, you may keep guessing (risky, since a wrong guess reveals your drawn tile) or stop (safe, since you insert your tile hidden).
• Deduction: Use the arrangement rule and revealed tiles to narrow down what opponents’ hidden tiles could be.

Player Reference

Tile Numbers	0-11 in black, 0-11 in white, plus 1 dash in each color
Arrangement	Ascending left to right; black before white if same number
Correct Guess	Opponent reveals tile; you may guess again or stop
Wrong Guess	Your drawn tile is inserted face-up (revealed)
Voluntary Stop	Your drawn tile is inserted face-down (hidden)
Win Condition	Last player with standing (hidden) tiles