Hearts Card Game
How to play
Pass three cards left, right, and across, then hold on the fourth round. Hearts are 1 point and the queen of spades 13; the lowest total wins when anyone reaches 100.
Detailed rules
- 1.Four players get 13 cards; passing cycles left, right, across, then hold.
- 2.Follow the led suit; if void, discard subject to the first-trick penalty restriction.
- 3.The highest card of the led suit wins the trick.
- 4.Each heart is 1 point and the queen of spades 13; taking all 26 gives you 0 and each opponent 26.
- 5.The 2 of clubs opens; when any total reaches 100, the lowest total wins.
Pass points and control the lead
In Hearts, taking more tricks is not the goal. Shed dangerous high cards early so you retain choices after penalty cards begin to fall.
Being void in a suit is powerful information and an escape route. Plan during the pass which suit to empty so later leads let you discard hearts or the queen of spades.
Origin & history
Hearts descends from 15th-century European trick-taking games, settling into its modern point-avoidance rules in America.
FAQ
What is 'shooting the moon'?
Taking all hearts and the queen of spades yourself gives you 0 and everyone else 26 — a bold reversal.