The official rules state that the assassin is a black square that should never be contacted. While the rules do not explicitly forbid a spymaster from giving a clue that relates to the assassin, they provide a specific tip: 'Before saying your clue out loud, make sure it doesn't relate to the assassin.' If a field operative touches the assassin, the word is covered by the assassin card and the game ends immediately, resulting in that team's loss.
Example Play Situation
Alice is the spymaster for the Red Team. She wants to give a clue for RED words 'APPLE' and 'PEAR'. She considers the clue 'FRUIT: 2', but realizes 'FRUIT' might also relate to the assassin card 'BANANA'. She decides to change her clue to 'ORCHARD: 2' to avoid the risk.
Common Misconceptions
Spymasters can use the assassin to end the game early.
Giving a clue that hits the assassin is a valid strategic move.
The assassin is a playable agent for a team.
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
Check that your clue does not relate to the assassin
Do not give extra hints or commentary with your clue
Use one word and one number for your clue
Do not use the assassin as part of a clue
Keep a straight face while operatives debate
Do not make eye contact with field operatives while guessing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for giving a clue in Codenames?
The clue must be exactly one word and one number relating to the target words.
Can I give a clue that matches the assassin?
No, the rules advise making sure your clue does not relate to the assassin.
What happens if a player touches the assassin?
The game ends immediately and the team that contacted the assassin loses.
Is it okay to say 'this is a stretch' during a clue?
No, you are not allowed to give extra hints or commentary with your clue.
David Noah is a board game rules specialist and content creator who writes clear, dispute‑free guides for modern tabletop games. On this site, he focuses on answering the exact rules questions players argue about at the table, using official rulebooks, expansions, and tournament rulings as his primary sources. His goal is to turn confusing edge cases into simple, step‑by‑step explanations so you can spend less time debating and more time playing.
