Game guide · YXZZZ
Understand the basics of Old Maid
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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. The queen of diamonds is removed from a standard deck, leaving 51 cards. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Two-player free game. Pairs are identified by rank, regardless of suit. Computer choices do not inspect the face-down card values.
Take a closer look while playing
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
The challenge in front of you
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Follow these playing steps
- 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.
Your inputs
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
An example to follow
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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.
A useful caution
The last queen is not always the queen first seen in your hand; queens can be exchanged and paired during play.
Game-specific help
During a round, what is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, 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.
On this page, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. No download or player account is required.
On this page, can two queens form a pair?
Yes. There are three queens in the 51-card deck, so one queen eventually remains unmatched. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, does the computer choose by looking at my hidden cards?
Its draw chooses a face-down position, not a card value. The controls work with mouse or touch.