Game guide · SZLYSY56
Old Maid: learn through an example
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
Two-player free game. Pairs are identified by rank, regardless of suit. Computer choices do not inspect the face-down card values.
An idea for your next attempt
Check the rule below as you play. 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
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The steps to play
- 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.
Keyboard and screen controls
Take a moment to check the current turn. Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below.
Learn from a sample situation
Take a moment to check the current turn. If you hold 6♣ and draw 6♥, both cards leave your hand as a pair. A queen can also pair with another queen. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Notice this detail
The last queen is not always the queen first seen in your hand; queens can be exchanged and paired during play. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Clarifying the way this game works
For this game, what is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. No download or player account is required.
When I start, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, 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.
During a round, which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Can two queens form a pair?
Yes. There are three queens in the 51-card deck, so one queen eventually remains unmatched. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
Does the computer choose by looking at my hidden cards?
Its draw chooses a face-down position, not a card value. Use the labelled controls for your next action.