Game guide · SYXDBZ
Making your first moves in Old Maid
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
One thing to notice as you play
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The purpose of your moves
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Start here and follow along
- 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.
Getting comfortable with the controls
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
One detail worth checking
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.
Answers about the rules and controls
For this game, what is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, 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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, 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.
How many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, 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.
During a round, 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.
