Hearts

How to Play

Setup

• A standard 52-card deck is used; each of the four players receives 13 cards.

• The aim: accrue as few penalty points as possible.

Passing Cards

• At the start of each round, each player selects three cards from their hand to pass to another player.

• The direction of the pass rotates each round:

  1. Round 1 → pass to the player on your left

  2. Round 2 → pass to the player on your right

  3. Round 3 → pass to the player across from you

  4. Round 4 → no passing

• Then the cycle repeats.

Leading and Playing Tricks

• The player who holds the 2 of Clubs leads the first trick.

• Play proceeds clockwise. Each player must follow suit if able (i.e., play a card of the same suit as was led).

• If you cannot follow suit, you may play any card (subject to some restrictions).

• Hearts cannot be led until they are “broken” (someone has played a heart when unable to follow suit).

• The winner of each trick is the one who played the highest-ranked card in the suit that was led. That player leads the next trick.

Scoring

• At the end of a hand (when all 13 tricks are played):

  • Each heart card you’ve taken = 1 point

  • The Queen of Spades = 13 points

• The round ends, scores are tallied up.

• The game continues until any player reaches or exceeds a set threshold (commonly 100 points). The player with the lowest total score at that moment wins the game.

Shooting the Moon

• A daring move: if you manage to take all the hearts and the Queen of Spades in one hand, you “shoot the moon”.

• Instead of you getting penalty points, you score 0 for that hand and all your opponents receive the full penalty (commonly 26 points).

• It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy and must be carefully timed.

Why Play This Web Version?

• Instant access: No download or installation required—play instantly in your browser.

• Classic rules: The game sticks to the well-known rules of Hearts—easy for veterans, clear for newcomers.

• Friendly interface: Clean visuals, simple controls, and smooth gameplay make it enjoyable for casual play or more serious strategy.

• Anytime play: Great for playing a quick round or a full session, whenever you like.

Getting Started Tips

• On your first round: pass away high hearts and the Queen of Spades if you get them—safer than holding onto them.

• Try to void (have none) of a particular suit early—so when that suit is led, you can unload hearts or the Queen of Spades safely.

• Pay attention to who’s collecting points—if someone is getting many hearts, you might shift strategy to stop them.

• Don’t rush to shoot the moon unless your hand is very strong and you’re confident.

• Keep note of cards that have been played—especially high hearts and spades—to anticipate which suits are safe and which are dangerous.