Can I tell where the joker is?

No. Hands are shuffled after every draw, so which card you take is down to luck.

Yes, against the CPU, without signing in. Online, the CPU also takes any seats that are not filled.

What happens if a player leaves during a game?

The CPU takes over for them, so the game does not stop. Online, you have 20 seconds per draw; if time runs out, a card is drawn for you.

Asobi Lounge / Games / Old Maid

Old Maid (Babanuki) rules and how to play: do not keep the joker

The card game everybody knows: draw one card at a time from the next player and throw away the pairs you make. Players who empty their hands are safe, and whoever is left with the joker loses. Hands are shuffled after every draw, so where the joker is comes down to luck. Play the CPU or your friends.

Also known as: Babanuki
Players: 2–6 players (the CPU fills empty seats)
Price: free
Runs in the browser (no install)

Play now

The game screen is in Japanese.

Games against the CPU and solo modes work right away without signing in. Online play (random matches and private rooms) and saving stats or leaderboard scores require signing in with a Google account. To play with a friend, your friend also needs to create an account and register as your friend.

Old Maid modes

CPU match (CPU対戦): play with 1–5 CPU players. No sign-in needed
Random Match (ランダムマッチ): play four-handed with people gathered online (the CPU fills empty seats)
Room Match (ルーム対戦): play friends using a room ID or a friend invite, 2–6 players (to invite a friend, they also need to create an account and register as your friend). You can add CPU players

Basic rules of Old Maid

One joker is added to the 52 cards and everything is dealt.
Before play starts, every pair (two cards of the same number) in each hand is thrown away.
On your turn, draw one card, face down, from the next player's hand. If it makes a pair, throw that pair away too.
The player you drew from goes next and draws from their neighbour the same way.
Players finish in the order their hands empty, and the one left holding the joker loses.

How to play on Asobi Lounge

On your turn, the next player's hand appears face down. Press the card you want to draw.
The card you drew, or the card drawn from you, is shown only to you (the others only see that a card was drawn, and whether it made a pair).
Each other player's seat shows how many cards they have left.

Tips

When the joker is drawn from you, you know it. Remember that it moved to that player.
The fewer cards the players before you hold, the better your chance to finish before the joker comes around.
With two players left, the game is decided by who holds the joker.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tell where the joker is?: No. Hands are shuffled after every draw, so which card you take is down to luck.
Can I play alone?: Yes, against the CPU, without signing in. Online, the CPU also takes any seats that are not filled.
What happens if a player leaves during a game?: The CPU takes over for them, so the game does not stop. Online, you have 20 seconds per draw; if time runs out, a card is drawn for you.
Is Old Maid free to play?: Yes, it costs nothing. Games against the CPU and solo modes work right away without signing in. Online play (random matches and private rooms) and saving stats or leaderboard scores require signing in with a Google account. To play with a friend, your friend also needs to create an account and register as your friend.