It is possible to discard a single card from the deck face-down if this is done, players cannot know which card is the old maid. The unmatchable card becomes the 'old maid,' and whoever holds it at the end of the game is the loser. The most popular choices are to remove the ace of clubs or queen of clubs or to add a single joker. When using a regular deck, a card is either added or removed, resulting in one unmatchable card.
There are retail card decks specifically crafted for playing old maid, but it is just as easy to play with a regular deck of 52 cards. The game spawns an element of bluffing, commonly used in poker.
It is known in Germany as Schwarzer Peter, in Sweden as Svarte Petter, in Denmark as Sorteper, in Hungary as Fekete Péter, in Finland as Musta Pekka (all meaning 'Black Peter'), in France as le pouilleux ('the lousy/louse-ridden one') or vieux garçon (literally 'old boy', but a de facto pejorative for confirmed bachelor), and in Japan as ババ抜き ( Babanuki).
Old maid is a Victorian card game for two to eight players probably deriving from an ancient gambling game in which the loser pays for the drinks. Home :: Card games Old maid - card game Origin
