Game guide · YCBY120
Old Maid: rules and examples
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. 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.
Give this approach a try
A careful first move helps you understand the round. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand.
The challenge in front of you
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 game area remains available above the explanation.
Making your moves
- 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.
The controls to know
Read the position before choosing your 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.
See the idea in action
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.
Watch out for this
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
More answers before you play
On this page, 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.
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.
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. A new round resets the current game.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
When I start, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, 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.
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.