matching / pairs · Worldwide

Old Maid

Also known as Old Maid card game · Pass the Lady · Black Peter (cousin) · Vieja

Old Maid is the classic children's card game loved around the world, played with a standard deck that has one Queen removed so a single 'Old Maid' card can never be matched. Players discard pairs from their hands, then take turns drawing a face-down card from the next player, discarding any new pairs they make. Empty your hand and you're safe; the unlucky player left holding the odd Queen at the end is the Old Maid and loses the round. It's quick, suspenseful and full of giggles for 2 to 6 players, and a perfect first card game for kids. Play Old Maid online free against friendly bots or with friends — no download, no signup.

2–6 players · free · no download · no signup

How to play Old Maid

Remove one Queen from the deck, then deal all 51 cards out to the players.
Everyone discards any pairs they were dealt, face down.
On your turn, draw one face-down card from the next player's hand.
If the drawn card pairs with one you hold, discard the pair right away.
Empty your hand and you're safe — out of the round.
Keep going until one player is left holding the unmatched Old Maid.
That player loses; everyone else wins. Deal again for another round.

Old Maid rules

Objective

Avoid being the player left holding the 'Old Maid' — the one odd card with no partner. Everyone except that final player wins the round. Because one Queen is removed from the deck before play, three Queens remain: two can pair up and the third is the unmatchable Old Maid.

Setup and the deal

Take a standard 52-card deck and remove one Queen, leaving 51 cards. Deal all the cards out to the players; it doesn't matter if some players get one more card than others. Before play begins, every player looks at their hand and discards every pair they were dealt (two cards of the same rank), placing them face down.

Taking a turn

Starting with the player to the dealer's left, each player offers their hand face down (fanned out so the backs show) to the player on their left, who draws one card without seeing its face. If the drawn card forms a pair with a card already in the drawer's hand, that pair is discarded immediately.

Getting out

As soon as a player has discarded all their cards they are 'safe' and out of the round in a good way — they take no more turns and no one draws from them. Play passes around, always drawing from the next player who still holds cards, with hands getting smaller as more pairs are made.

Hiding the Old Maid

Each time cards leave or enter a hand it's shuffled, so nobody — not even its holder — knows exactly where the Old Maid is. Some players like to keep a poker face (or a misleading one) to tempt the next player into drawing the unlucky card. That bluffing tension is the heart of the game.

Ending the round

Eventually every card is paired and discarded except the single Old Maid, which one player is left holding. That player is the 'Old Maid' and loses the round; everyone else wins. Shuffle and deal again to play another round — the loser is often the next dealer.

Strategy tips

Keep a steady face — if others can read when you're holding the Old Maid, they'll avoid drawing it from you.
Offer your cards evenly so the Old Maid's position isn't obvious from how you hold your hand.
Watch how eagerly the next player draws — hesitation can hint at what they're holding.
There's luck in every draw, but a little misdirection goes a long way in a close finish.
Remember: once you're down to one card, you're either safe next pair or stuck with the Maid — play it cool.

Variants

Black Peter · Black Maria (related) · Pass the Lady · Old Maid with a special Old Maid deck

Old Maid — frequently asked questions

How do you play Old Maid?

Remove one Queen, deal all the cards, and discard any pairs. On your turn draw a face-down card from the next player; discard any pair you make. Empty your hand to be safe. Whoever is left holding the odd Queen is the Old Maid and loses.

What is the Old Maid card?

It's the single Queen with no partner — because one Queen is removed from the deck, the remaining odd Queen can never be paired.

How many players can play Old Maid?

Old Maid works for 2 to 6 players (and more with a second deck). It's a great game for kids and families.

Do you win or lose by holding the Old Maid?

You lose. The player left with the Old Maid at the end loses the round; every other player wins.

Can you see the card you draw in Old Maid?

No — you draw a face-down card from the next player's fanned hand without knowing which one it is. That's what makes it suspenseful.

How do you set up Old Maid?

Use a 52-card deck, remove one Queen, deal all 51 cards out, and have everyone discard their dealt pairs before play starts.