What you need
A standard deck with one queen removed (or use a special Old Maid pack). Two or more players.
Object of the game
Get rid of all your cards by making pairs—and avoid being left with the odd queen.
Setup and deal
- 1Remove one queen from the deck, leaving a single unmatched queen.
- 2Deal all the cards out; it does not matter if some players get one more card.
- 3Everyone discards any pairs they hold, face up.
How to play
- 1In turn, offer your hand face down to the player on your left, who draws one card without seeing it.
- 2If the drawn card makes a pair, the player discards the pair.
- 3Play continues around the table, each player drawing from the next.
How the game ends
- Players drop out as they run out of cards.
- The player left with the last queen is the Old Maid and loses.
Common variations
- Some play with a joker added as the odd card instead of removing a queen.
- In the French version, Vieux Garçon, a jack is removed instead.
Tips for your first game
- Shuffle your hand before offering it, so nobody can track the odd card.
- Try to keep a straight face when someone’s fingers hover over the queen.
- Children often give away the old maid by holding it higher or apart from their other cards—mix it in with the rest.
Old Maid FAQ
Which card do you remove in Old Maid?
One queen, so that the remaining queen can never be paired.
How many players can play Old Maid?
Two or more; it works best with three to six.
Can you play Old Maid with a regular deck?
Yes. Take out one queen and play with the remaining 51 cards; the unmatched queen is the old maid.
Who goes first in Old Maid?
Usually the player to the dealer’s left draws first from the dealer, and play continues around the table.