Game guide · ZJJ-HC
The Old Maid playbook
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. The queen of diamonds is removed from a standard deck, leaving 51 cards. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Two-player free game. Pairs are identified by rank, regardless of suit. Computer choices do not inspect the face-down card values.
An idea for your next attempt
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Aim for this result
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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
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.
Try this 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 game area remains available above the explanation.
Where a round can go wrong
Take a moment to check the current turn. The last queen is not always the queen first seen in your hand; queens can be exchanged and paired during play.
A few questions answered
For this game, 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.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
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.
For this game, 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
Do I remove pairs myself?
No. Equal-rank pairs are removed automatically after the deal and after each draw. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Can two queens form a pair?
Yes. There are three queens in the 51-card deck, so one queen eventually remains unmatched. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, does the computer choose by looking at my hidden cards?
Its draw chooses a face-down position, not a card value. No download or player account is required.