Old Maid
Old Maid is a card game for 2 to 8 players, about 5 minutes. Draw and pair up matching ranks; whoever holds the joker last loses. Free. In-browser. No account.
Old Maid in 30 seconds
- Set upDeal out all 52 cards plus one joker, then lay down any matching pairs.
- Take turnsDraw one face-down card from the next player (right by default).
- Pair upA card matching one already in your hand is discarded as a pair.
- EndPlayers empty their hand and drop out; whoever holds the joker last loses.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2–8 players |
| Play time | About 5 min |
| Type | Cards |
| Ranked play | Yes |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-23 |
How to play Old Maid online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2–8 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- Two to eight players. Use a 52-card deck plus one joker, 53 cards in all.
- Deal out the whole deck. It's fine if it doesn't divide evenly and players end up with different numbers of cards.
- Lay down and discard face up any pairs of matching rank you were dealt. If you have three of a kind, pair off two and keep the third.
- The deck is a setting. The Japanese default keeps one joker; the Western default removes one queen (51 cards); a hidden-card variant removes one card face down before the deal so nobody knows what it was.
How to play
- On your turn, draw one face-down card from the player to your right (or left, by setting) — you don't know which card you're taking.
- If it matches a rank already in your hand, discard that pair face up. Otherwise keep it.
- Play passes to the next player once the draw is resolved.
- You can rearrange your own cards on your tray at any time — spreading one card out or tucking it to an edge, for example, is part of the bluff before it's drawn.
- Others only see your tray's layout (coordinates and card count), never the ranks or suits. The same is true in reverse: you can't see what you're about to draw.
Winning
- A player who reaches zero cards is ranked at that moment and drops out of future draws.
- Play continues until one player is left. That player is holding the one card nobody could pair (the joker by default), and loses.
- Finishing order becomes final placement, with the last player left in last place.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeckDeckWith one joker, whoever is left holding the joker loses. With a queen removed, the unpaired queen becomes the losing card. With a hidden card, one card is taken out face down, so nobody knows which card is the loser until the very end. | Which deck to use, and which card makes you lose. | One joker (Japanese default) | Yes |
| Draw direction | Which neighbour the active player draws from. | Draw from the right | Yes |
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FAQ
How many players?
Two to eight. Four to six plays best, and a round takes about 5 minutes.
Can I practise alone?
Yes, against three computer players. Pick Normal (learns your opponents' habits) or Easy (random) CPU strength.
Can others see my hand?
No. Others only see your tray's coordinates and card count — never the ranks or suits themselves.
What's the difference from a hidden-card deal?
It's a deck setting. The default keeps a visible joker (you can see whose hand it's in); the hidden variant removes one card face down before the deal, so nobody ever learns what it was.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Cards)
Same player count
Last updated 2026-09-23 · Run by Qdan, Inc.