Get the full experience in CardRules+
300+ games with text-to-speech, game night planner, quick reference cards, and offline access.
Download on Google Play- Remove one Queen from a standard 52-card deck (51 cards remain).
- Deal all cards evenly to players.
- Players discard any matching pairs from their hand.
- Offer your hand face-down to the player on your left.
- That player draws one card from your hand.
- If the drawn card completes a pair, discard the pair immediately.
- No point system; the player left with the unmatched Queen loses.
- All other players win.
Rules
Old Maid is a classic card game played with a standard deck of cards, often enjoyed by children and families. The game is simple to learn and involves players trying to avoid being left with the "Old Maid" card.
Objective
The objective of Old Maid is to avoid being the player left with the "Old Maid" card at the end of the game. Players aim to match pairs of cards and discard them until all pairs are formed, leaving one unmatched card, which is the "Old Maid."
Setup
- Players: Old Maid can be played with 2 or more players.
- Card Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck with one Queen removed, leaving 51 cards.
- Dealing: Cards are shuffled, and each player is dealt an equal number of cards.
Basic Rules
- Starting the Game: The player to the dealer's left starts by offering their hand face down to the player on their left. The player to their left selects one card from the hand. If they find a pair in their hand, they discard the pair face-up. Play continues clockwise until all pairs have been discarded.
- Matching Pairs: Players try to match pairs of cards by rank (e.g., two Aces, two Fours, etc.). When a player finds a pair, they place it face-up on the table. Players discard all pairs from their hand at the start of the game and whenever new pairs are formed during play. If a player has three of a kind, they discard one pair and keep the odd card.
- The Old Maid Card: The game continues until all pairs are formed and discarded, except for one unmatched card. The player left with the single unmatched card, known as the "Old Maid," loses the game.
- Winning: The player who successfully avoids being left with the "Old Maid" card is the winner. In some variations, multiple rounds may be played, and the player with the fewest points (from being left with unmatched cards) wins.
Variations
To accommodate more players or increase the difficulty, multiple decks can be used.
Tips and Strategies
- Pay attention to the cards discarded by other players to deduce which cards they may be holding.
- Try to form pairs strategically to avoid being left with the "Old Maid" card.
Tips & Strategy
Pay attention to discarded cards and strategize to avoid being left with the 'Old Maid' card. Form pairs strategically and consider the point values of cards in variations with scoring systems.
While Old Maid is a relatively simple game, strategic decision-making can involve discarding cards strategically to avoid being left with the 'Old Maid' card.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Did you know? Old Maid is known by various names in different regions, including Black Peter, Schwarzer Peter, and Pass the Lady.
What is the term for the single unmatched card left at the end of an Old Maid game? How many cards are typically dealt to each player at the beginning of the game?
History & Culture
Old Maid has been a beloved card game for generations, enjoyed by families and children worldwide. Its simplicity and entertainment value have made it a timeless classic.
Old Maid holds cultural significance as a game that transcends generations, providing entertainment and bonding opportunities for families and friends.
Variations & House Rules
Experiment with variations such as using multiple decks or implementing a point system to add complexity to the game.
Customize your Old Maid experience by adjusting the rules to suit your preferences or introducing new variations.
