Game guide · JIEHUIDB
Understand the basics of Old Maid
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. 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
On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
The purpose of your moves
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
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.
Controls
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. 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.
One way to understand the rules
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
Where a round can go wrong
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
If you are unsure
During a round, what is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. A new round resets the current game.
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. No download or player account is required.
On this page, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
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. 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 game is played locally in your browser.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, 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.