Game guide · ITCGT
Old Maid: what to know before playing
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. The queen of diamonds is removed from a standard deck, leaving 51 cards.
Two-player free game. Pairs are identified by rank, regardless of suit. Computer choices do not inspect the face-down card values.
One thing to notice as you play
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
What the game asks you to do
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.
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
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.
Learn from a sample situation
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
Notice this detail
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.
Questions that come up during play
For this game, 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.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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 game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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.
For this game, 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.
For this game, 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.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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.