Can you win Codenames on the other team's turn?
Yes. Your team wins as soon as all of your words are covered, even if the other team uncovered your last one by mistake. You also win if the other team guesses the assassin.
The rule:
In Codenames, yes: your team wins the moment all of your words are covered, even if the other team uncovered your last one by mistake on their turn, and you also win if they guess the assassin.
There are two ways to win:
- All your words are covered. Usually you guess your own last word, but if the other team guesses it on their turn, you win right then.
- The other team guesses the assassin. They lose immediately, whatever the score.
The team that starts has 9 words to find (thanks to the double agent tile) and the other team has 8.
Example:
Red still has 4 words to find. Blue is one word from winning, then touches the assassin. Red wins on the spot, without finding any more of its own words.
Why players argue about it:
Players assume you have to find your last word yourself, from your own clue. The win only depends on your words being covered, not on who covered them.