Game guide · 05MC
Follow the steps for Old Maid
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. 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.
Practice with a purpose
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Understand the aim
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.
Step by step
- 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.
How to use the 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Try this example
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Keep this in mind
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. The last queen is not always the queen first seen in your hand; queens can be exchanged and paired during play. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Clarifying the way this game works
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 game is played locally in your browser.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. The controls work with mouse or touch.
Do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. The controls work with mouse or touch.
Can two queens form a pair?
Yes. There are three queens in the 51-card deck, so one queen eventually remains unmatched. No download or player account is required.
When I start, 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.