Old Maid
Match every pair and don't get stuck holding the odd Queen.
How to play Old Maid
One Queen is removed from the deck before dealing, so a single Queen can never be paired — that card is the "Old Maid." The cards are dealt to you and two computer players, and everyone immediately puts down every matching pair in their hand. On your turn you draw one hidden card from the next player: if it matches a card you hold, you discard the pair straight away. Click a face-down card of the highlighted player to draw. Play continues until every card is paired except the odd Queen, and whoever is left holding it loses the round — everyone else escapes.
Old Maid leaderboard
Top scores — log in to compete.
- Loading leaderboard…
Old Maid — frequently asked questions
How do you win at Old Maid?
There is no winner in the usual sense — there is one loser. You "win" simply by not being the player left holding the unpaired Queen at the end. Match and discard your pairs, and pass the odd Queen along when you can.
Why is one Queen impossible to pair?
Before the deal, one of the four Queens is taken out of the deck. That leaves three Queens, so one of them can never find a partner. Whoever is stuck with that lone Queen when all other cards are paired is the Old Maid.
How do I draw a card?
On your turn you take one card, face down, from the hand of the next player around the table. In this game the player you draw from is highlighted — just click one of their face-down cards. If it pairs with a card in your hand, the pair is discarded automatically.
Is Old Maid free to play?
Yes. Old Maid runs free in your browser against two computer opponents, with no download and no sign-up, in a clean black-and-white style.
Is Old Maid free to play?
Yes — Old Maid is completely free on Inkplay, with no download, no sign-up, and no in-game purchases. Open the page and play instantly on desktop or mobile.
Can I play Old Maid unblocked?
Yes. Old Maid runs entirely in your browser with no download, install, or plugins, so it loads instantly and keeps working even on school or work networks where bigger game sites get blocked.
More black & white games
In the mood for more? Try Chess, Tic Tac Toe, Connect Four, Reversi — or browse all board games and the full games list on Inkplay.