Game guide · 20ZL
Learn the rules of Old Maid
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
Something to practise
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.
The goal to keep in mind
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.
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.
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 before you play
The board gives you the information needed for the 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
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
A few questions answered
During a round, what is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. No download or player account is required.
For this game, how do the controls work?
Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, 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 controls work with mouse or touch.
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 game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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.
When I start, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
During a round, 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.
During a round, do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. No download or player account is required.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Does the computer choose by looking at my hidden cards?
Its draw chooses a face-down position, not a card value. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.