Game guide · SYNTAXCODER
Understand the basics of Old Maid
Read the position before choosing your next 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. 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.
An idea for your next attempt
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. On your turn choose one face-down card from the computer’s hand.
What you need to achieve
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 order of play
- 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
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
One way to understand the rules
Check the rule below as you play. If you hold 6♣ and draw 6♥, both cards leave your hand as a pair. A queen can also pair with another queen. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Watch out for this
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Game-specific help
When I start, 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.
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. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
During a round, 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.
When I start, 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.
When I start, 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.
For this game, which card is removed before dealing?
The queen of diamonds, leaving an odd number of queens in the deck. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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 controls work with mouse or touch.