About Memory - the pairs card game
Memory, also known as Concentration, Pairs or Pelmanism, is one of the simplest card games to learn and one of the best for training your memory. All you need is a set of pairs and a good eye.
Where the game comes from
Matching games with face-down cards have been played with ordinary playing cards for a long time, often under the name Concentration or Pelmanism, after a memory-training system popular in the early twentieth century. In 1959 the German publisher Ravensburger brought out a picture-card version called Memory, which made the game famous across Europe.
The rules
All cards are shuffled and laid face down in a grid. A player turns over two cards. If the pictures match, the player keeps the pair and goes again. If not, both cards are turned face down and the next player has a go. When all pairs have been found, the player with the most pairs wins.
Why it trains your memory
To play well you have to remember both what a card shows and where it lies. That trains visual and spatial memory, and children are often surprisingly good at it, regularly beating adults.
Tips for winning
Pay attention to every card that is turned over, including your opponent's. Start with cards you have not seen yet, so that each turn tells you something new. If you know where one card of a pair is, turn over an unknown card first, then decide on the second.
Frequently asked questions
Is Memory the same as Concentration?
Yes. Memory, Concentration, Pairs, Pelmanism and Match up are different names for the same game.
How many pairs should I start with?
For young children, six or eight pairs are plenty. Experienced players can try 12 or 18 pairs.
Can I play Memory online for free?
Yes. The PictorX version is free and runs in your browser, solo, with two players or against the computer.
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Ready to try it?
Open PictorX in your browser — no install, no credit card required to start.
Play Memory