How many four-peg color combinations are possible in the classic codebreaking game Mastermind?

The Mastermind game box breaks down the math right on the back: With six color options and four slots, the codemaker has 1,296 possible arrangements to choose from (allowing for duplicate colors). For Game No. 1, that is. Game No. 2, on the other hand, has a little twist: the codemaker has the option of leaving one or more slots empty, effectively adding another color option — for a total of 2,401 permutations! But please, exercise caution before jumping into this new level of challenge. As the box sternly advises, Game No. 2 is only for the advanced player.

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