How to use the Memory Match Card Game
- Choose a difficulty. Easy has 12 cards (6 pairs), Medium has 16 cards (8 pairs) and Hard has 24 cards (12 pairs).
- Click or tap a card to reveal its picture, then pick a second card to compare the two. The timer starts when you flip your first card.
- If the two pictures match, they stay face up. If they don't, they flip back over after a moment. Remember where each picture was so you can match it later.
- The game ends when you find every pair. Your best score for each difficulty is saved, ranked by fewest moves first and then by fastest time.
Memory match rules and scoring
Each time you flip two cards to compare them counts as one move. With 6 pairs, you need at least 6 moves even with perfect luck, and every blind flip of an unseen card adds to your total. That's why a better score means fewer moves. When two scores have the same number of moves, the faster time wins.
| Difficulty | Cards | Minimum moves | Target to aim for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 12 (4×3) | 6 | 12 or fewer |
| Medium | 16 (4×4) | 8 | 18 or fewer |
| Hard | 24 (6×4) | 12 | 30 or fewer |
The targets are challenge goals suggested by Tooljip. Don't worry if your first few games take more moves than that. Almost everyone's do.
Tips for getting better at memory games
- Flip a new card first: make your first flip a card you haven't seen yet. If its partner is one you've already seen, match it right away. If not, flip another unseen card with your second pick so you learn more of the board.
- Put positions into words: short phrases like "apple, top row, far left" or "dog, third row, middle" stick in your memory longer than a mental picture alone.
- Split the board into zones: on Hard, treat the left and right halves of the board separately and clear one side at a time so you mix up fewer cards.
- Don't rush: moves are compared before time, so playing slowly and carefully usually gets you a better score.
Who are memory games good for?
Card matching, also known as Concentration or Pairs, is a game that uses your working memory: holding on to something you just saw and using it a moment later. The rules are simple enough for young kids and older adults alike, and a round takes only a few minutes, so it's an easy way to refresh your mind during a break.
If you're playing with a child, start on Easy and say the name of each picture out loud as you flip it. If you want a quick break from studying or work, try one round during the 5-minute break of a Pomodoro timer. Keep in mind that a better game score doesn't mean a medical improvement in cognitive function. If you're concerned about your memory, talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional.