Memory Game: Match the Pairs Card Game
Train your brain with this free memory game, also known as Concentration or Pairs. Flip two cards at a time and try to remember where each picture is, until every pair is matched. Pick a board size from a quick 12-card game for kids to a 36-card challenge, and try to beat your best score.
Quick answer: Tap a card to turn it over, then tap another. If the pictures match, they stay face up. If not, they flip back, so remember where they were. Match every pair in as few moves as possible.
How to play the memory game
- Choose a board size and a picture theme. Start with 12 or 16 cards if you are new to the game.
- Turn over any two cards. A matching pair turns green and stays open.
- If the two cards do not match, look carefully before they flip back after a moment.
- Keep going until every pair is found. Your moves and time are shown, and your best score for each board size is saved in your browser.
Tips to remember the cards
- Work in an order. Flip unknown cards row by row so you remember positions more easily.
- Say it out loud. Naming each picture and its place (“dog, top left”) helps your memory.
- Use known cards. When you turn a new card, check if you have already seen its partner before picking a second card.
- Do not guess early. On big boards, spend the first moves exploring rather than hoping for lucky matches.
A perfect game needs one move per pair, which only happens with luck. A very good score is about 1.5 times the number of pairs, for example 12 moves on the 16-card board.
Is the memory game good for your brain?
Matching games exercise short-term and visual memory and keep your attention focused. They are a popular activity for children learning concentration, and a gentle brain workout for adults and older people. Like any puzzle, the more you play, the faster you get.
More free games: word search, sudoku and tic tac toe.
FAQ
What is this game also called?
Concentration, Pairs, Pelmanism or simply match game. The rules are the same.
Can two people play?
Yes. Take turns flipping two cards and count your own pairs. A player who finds a pair goes again.
More free games and tools
See all of them on the QuickOnlineTips free online tools page and the free online games page.