Game guide · 92SYH
Getting started with Old Maid
Read the position before choosing your next action. Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. The game area remains available above the explanation. The queen of diamonds is removed from a standard deck, leaving 51 cards. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Two-player free game. Pairs are identified by rank, regardless of suit. Computer choices do not inspect the face-down card values.
A small practice goal
A careful first move helps you understand the round. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand.
The purpose of your moves
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
How to proceed
- The queen of diamonds is removed from a standard deck, leaving 51 cards.
- All cards are dealt between you and the computer. Opening pairs of equal rank are removed automatically.
- On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand.
- A new matching pair is removed automatically. The computer then draws one card from your shuffled face-down hand.
- The round ends when only the unpaired queen remains. The holder of that queen loses.
Using the playing area
Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Work through an example
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. If you hold 6♣ and draw 6♥, both cards leave your hand as a pair. A queen can also pair with another queen. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Pay attention to this rule
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. The last queen is not always the queen first seen in your hand; queens can be exchanged and paired during play. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
More answers before you play
During a round, what is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below. The controls work with mouse or touch.
For this game, can you show an example?
If you hold 6♣ and draw 6♥, both cards leave your hand as a pair. A queen can also pair with another queen. No download or player account is required.
Which mistake should I avoid?
The last queen is not always the queen first seen in your hand; queens can be exchanged and paired during play. No download or player account is required.
When I start, what rules and limits are used here?
Two-player free game. Pairs are identified by rank, regardless of suit. Computer choices do not inspect the face-down card values. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
Which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, can two queens form a pair?
Yes. There are three queens in the 51-card deck, so one queen eventually remains unmatched. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, does the computer choose by looking at my hidden cards?
Its draw chooses a face-down position, not a card value. The game is played locally in your browser.