How to play Memory

Memory is the matching game almost everyone has played at a kitchen table: lay the cards face down, turn over two at a time, and find the pairs. It is just as good on your own as it is with children and grandchildren. Play by yourself and count your tries, against one to three computer players (Pip, Nell and Otis), by passing the tablet around, or with family over a link, each on their own phone.

The pairs

We use a regular deck of playing cards. Two cards are a pair when they have the same number and the same color: the 7♥ goes with the 7♦, and the 7♠ with the 7♣.
Choose how many cards go on the table: 24 (12 pairs, good for young children), 36 (18 pairs) or the whole deck of 52 (26 pairs).

A turn

Tap a card to turn it over, then tap a second one.
If they are a pair, you keep them and go again.
If not, both cards stay up for a moment so everyone can see them, then turn back face down, and the turn passes.
Everyone sees every card that is turned, so watch the other players' cards as closely as your own.

Winning

When every pair has been found, the player with the most pairs wins. Two or more can tie. Playing on your own, the goal is to clear the table in as few tries as you can: one try is two cards. A perfect game takes one try per pair, which only happens with a lot of luck.

Tips

New card first. Turn a card you have not seen yet. If you remember its twin, you take the pair; if not, you have learned one more card.
Say it to yourself. "Red 9, top left." Putting the card into words helps it stick.
Work in corners. The edges and corners of the table are easier to remember than the middle, so many players start there.
Use the other players. A card the computer turns and misses is a free look for you.

Today's board

The Daily Board is 36 cards laid out the same way for everyone today. Play it on your own; your result is the number of tries it takes to find all 18 pairs. Fewer is better. Your first try of the day is the one that counts.

Questions

Is this the same as Concentration? Yes. The game goes by many names: Memory, Concentration, Pairs and Pelmanism among them.

How strong are the computers? The levels differ in how much they remember. Easy remembers only the last few cards and sometimes forgets even those; Normal remembers about a dozen; Sharp remembers the last two dozen without a slip. On their own on 36 cards, Easy needs about 55 tries, Normal about 40 and Sharp about 31.

Can several people play on one tablet? Yes. Open Settings and choose "Pass the tablet": two to four players, each with their name, take turns on the same device.

Can I play with my grandkids far away? Yes. Choose "Play with friends" and send the link. Everyone sees the same cards turn on their own screen, and the computer fills open seats.

Do I need an account? No. Your game is saved in this browser, so you can close the page and come back.