What Is Memory?
Memory — also called Concentration — is a game about paying close attention and remembering what you’ve seen. All 52 cards are placed face-down on the table in a grid. On your turn, you flip over two cards. If they match in rank (for example, both are 7s, or both are Queens), you keep them and go again. If they don’t match, you flip them back face-down, and it’s the next player’s turn. The trick is remembering where cards are so you can match them on future turns. The player who collects the most pairs wins.
What You Need
- One standard deck of 52 playing cards
- Two to eight players (works wonderfully with just two)
- A large flat surface — you need enough room to lay all 52 cards in a grid
Understanding What a Match Is
Two cards match when they are the same rank — meaning the same number or face card. The suit (the symbol) does NOT matter. So the 8 of Spades and the 8 of Hearts are a match. The King of Diamonds and the King of Clubs are a match. There are 26 matching pairs in the full deck.
Setting Up the Game
- Shuffle all 52 cards thoroughly.
- Place all 52 cards face-DOWN on the table in a grid pattern. A good arrangement is 8 columns across and 6 rows down, or 4 rows of 13. Space the cards so they don’t overlap and each one can be flipped without disturbing others.
- Choose who goes first. The youngest player is a traditional starting choice.
How to Play — Step by Step
- On your turn, choose any one face-down card on the table and flip it face-up. Leave it where it is — just rotate it so everyone can see what it is.
- Now choose a SECOND face-down card anywhere on the table and flip it face-up as well.
- Look at both cards. Do they have the same rank — same number or same face?
- If YES — it’s a match! Pick up both cards and keep them in your own scoring pile. Then take another turn — flip two more cards. Keep going as long as you keep making matches.
- If NO — it’s not a match. Here is the critical moment: everyone at the table should look carefully at both cards and try to remember their ranks AND their exact positions on the table. Then flip both cards face-DOWN again, exactly where they were.
- Your turn is now over. The player to your left takes their turn.
Using What You Remember
This is where Memory becomes a true skill game. As the game goes on, you will have seen many cards flipped and returned. When you flip a card on your turn and it doesn’t immediately match the second card you flip — but you REMEMBER seeing its match somewhere on the table earlier — use that memory. On your next turn, flip the card you want, then flip the location where you remember its match being.
When Does the Game End?
The game ends when all 52 cards have been matched and removed from the table. Count up each player’s pairs — each pair is worth one point. The player with the most pairs wins.
Making It Easier for Younger Children
- Use only half the deck — 26 cards, making 13 pairs. Fewer cards means a smaller grid and less to remember.
- Use a deck with pictures instead of numbers — many children’s Memory sets have animals or characters that are easier to identify.
- Allow young children to look at a flipped card before you flip yours — giving them a head start.
Tips for Winning
- After flipping a non-matching pair, say the rank and location quietly to yourself — ‘Eight, top left. King, middle.’ Speaking it helps you remember.
- Pay close attention on OTHER players’ turns — they are revealing information you can use.
- Focus on the positions of high-value cards (Aces, face cards) first — they stand out and are easier to remember.