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Download on Google Play- Deal all 52 cards evenly to 4 players (13 each).
- Pass 3 cards to another player (direction alternates each hand).
- Player with 2 of Clubs leads the first trick.
- Follow suit if possible; otherwise play any card.
- Hearts cannot be led until they have been 'broken'.
- Each Heart is worth 1 penalty point.
- Queen of Spades is worth 13 penalty points.
- Shooting the Moon (taking all penalty cards) gives 26 points to everyone else.
- Game ends when someone hits 100; lowest score wins.
Rules
Hearts is a classic trick-taking game commonly played by four players. The objective is to avoid capturing certain cards that carry penalty points.
Objective
The goal in Hearts is to have the lowest score at the end of the game. Penalty points are incurred for capturing specific cards during tricks, and players aim to avoid these cards.
Setup
- Players: Hearts is played with four players.
- Deck: A standard 52-card deck is used.
- Passing Cards: In the first hand, each player passes three cards to the player to their left. In subsequent hands, passing alternates between left, right, across, and no passing.
Dealing
The dealer shuffles the deck and deals the entire deck, one card at a time, to the players.
Gameplay
- Leading Tricks: The player with the 2 of clubs leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible; otherwise, they can play any card (except on the first trick, where hearts and the Queen of Spades may not be played).
- Breaking Hearts: A player cannot lead with a heart until hearts have been "broken" — that is, until a heart has been discarded on a previous trick.
- Avoiding Penalty Cards: Hearts and the Queen of Spades carry penalty points. Players try to avoid capturing these cards in tricks.
Scoring
- Hearts: Each Heart card captured during a trick adds 1 penalty point.
- Queen of Spades: The Queen of Spades adds 13 penalty points if captured.
- Other Cards: Cards other than Hearts and the Queen of Spades have no point value.
Shooting the Moon
If a player captures all the hearts and the Queen of Spades in a single hand, they shoot the moon. Each of the other players receives 26 penalty points.
Winning the Game
The game is typically played to a predetermined point total, such as 100 points. The player with the lowest score wins.
Tips for Beginners
- Be cautious of capturing hearts and the Queen of Spades.
- Strategically pass cards to weaken opponents or improve your hand.
- Pay attention to cards played by opponents to gauge potential penalty cards.
Variations
Explore variations like "Cutthroat Hearts" or "Spot Hearts" for different dynamics.
Tips & Strategy
Manage your hand carefully to avoid taking penalty cards. Sometimes it's strategic to 'shoot the moon' and try to collect all the penalty cards.
Balancing aggression and caution is key in Hearts. Be mindful of the cards played by opponents and adapt your strategy accordingly.
Trivia & Fun Facts
In the Omnibus Hearts variation, the Jack of Diamonds is a bonus card worth -10 points (reducing your score), adding an extra strategic element to the game.
In Hearts, what is the term for collecting all the penalty cards (Queen of Spades and all hearts) in a single hand?
History & Culture
Hearts is a descendant of the game Reversis, which originated in France. The modern version gained popularity in the United States in the 19th century.
Hearts is a social card game often played casually among friends and family. It's known for its simplicity and the psychological element of avoiding penalty cards.
Variations & House Rules
Popular variations include Omnibus Hearts, Black Maria, and Spot Hearts. Each variant introduces unique rules and scoring mechanisms.
Experiment with different scoring systems or introduce house rules to add variety to your Hearts games.
