Game guide · GDXIANGSHUN
Learn your way around Old Maid
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. 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
Read the position before choosing your next action. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand.
Your goal
Take a moment to check the current turn. Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. The game area remains available above the explanation.
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.
The controls to know
Check the rule below as you play. Tap one of the face-down cards marked with a question mark. Your remaining unpaired cards are shown below. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Follow the example
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Avoid this misunderstanding
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. The last queen is not always the queen first seen in your hand; queens can be exchanged and paired during play.
Helpful answers for players
On this page, what is the aim of Old Maid?
Make matching-rank pairs and avoid being the player left with the last queen. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
When I start, 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. No download or player account is required.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
Which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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.
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. 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
