Flip two cards at a time and find every matching pair in as few moves as you can. Three board sizes, and your best score is saved on this device.
How to play Memory
Tap any two face-down cards to turn them over.
If they show the same card, they stay face up and count as a pair.
If not, they flip back. Remember where they were for later.
Find every pair. Fewer moves means a better score.
Memory with a real deck of cards
Memory, also known as Concentration, Pelmanism or Matching Pairs, is one of the first card games most of us learn. To play it at the table, shuffle a standard deck and lay all 52 cards face down in rows. Players take turns flipping two cards. A pair is two cards of the same rank and colour (for example the 7 of hearts and the 7 of diamonds). If you find a pair you keep it and take another turn; otherwise flip both back and the next player goes. When the table is empty, the player holding the most pairs wins.
For younger children, start with just a few pairs, such as all the Aces and face cards, and add more as they improve.
Tips to get a better score
- Work systematically. Flip unknown cards in a fixed order (left to right) so their positions are easier to recall.
- Say it in your head. Naming each card and its spot (“king, top corner”) makes it stick.
- Use your first flip wisely. Turn a new card first. If it matches one you’ve already seen, go and get the pair.
- A perfect game takes exactly as many moves as there are pairs. That only happens with a bit of luck!
Younger players may prefer Memory Puzzle, the same game with picture cards.