Game guide · GDFCWJ
Old Maid: learn through an example
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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. 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.
A small practice goal
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand. The game area remains available above the explanation.
What counts as success
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 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.
Controls
Check the rule below as you play. Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below.
One way to understand the rules
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Avoid this misunderstanding
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
A few questions answered
What is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. No download or player account is required.
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.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this 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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, 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.
During a round, which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. No download or player account is required.
For this game, 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.
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.
During a round, does the computer choose by looking at my hidden cards?
Its draw chooses a face-down position, not a card value. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.