Game guide · BJHRWTGDGC
A practical guide to Old Maid
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. 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.
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
What you are aiming for
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.
The playing sequence
- 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.
Input guidance
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Put the rules into context
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
A common point of confusion
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.
Further help with the game
When I start, 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.
When I start, 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. The instructions above use these same rules.
When I start, 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 controls work with mouse or touch.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
How many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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.
During a round, do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, can two queens form a pair?
Yes. There are three queens in the 51-card deck, so one queen eventually remains unmatched. The instructions above use these same rules.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
