Table of Contents
Who this is for: families and card game enthusiasts looking for a simple, entertaining game that works for all ages.
Ready to jump in? Play granny games and test your card-matching skills in this classic family favorite!
Play free games on Playgama.com
Setting Up Granny (Old Maid)
Granny is a classic matching card game that’s perfect for family game nights. You’ll need a standard deck of cards with one Queen removed, leaving you with 51 cards total. The remaining Queen becomes the “Granny” or “Old Maid” that players want to avoid.
Deal all cards evenly among players – don’t worry if some players get one extra card. Each player should hold their cards like a fan, keeping them hidden from others.
How to Play
Before starting, all players remove any pairs from their hands and place them face-down in front of them. Pairs are cards of the same rank (like two 7s or two Kings), regardless of suit.
The player to the dealer’s left goes first. They draw one card from the hand of the player to their left, without looking at the cards. If this creates a pair in their hand, they immediately place it down. Play continues clockwise around the table.
As the game progresses, players’ hands get smaller as they form pairs and lay them down. The tension builds as the Granny card gets passed around the circle!
Winning the Game
Players go out when they’ve matched all their cards into pairs. The last player holding the Granny card loses the round. Most families play multiple rounds, keeping track of who gets stuck with Granny each time.
Some variations include point scoring where the loser gets penalty points, but the basic version is simply about avoiding that final card. The psychological element makes this game entertaining – watching players’ faces as they draw cards adds to the fun!
Ready to test your luck and strategy? You can experience this timeless card game in digital format and practice your skills online.
TL;DR
Granny (Old Maid) is played by matching pairs and avoiding the single Queen card. Players draw from each other’s hands until one person is left holding the Granny card and loses.
