Hearts is a competitive card game played with four players where the main goal is to avoid collecting certain cards that carry penalty points. While most card games reward high scores in Hearts you must avoid gaining points and play in a way that causes your opponents to take them instead. Each game round involves passing cards careful planning and reading your opponents moves.
The game uses a standard 52 card deck without jokers. Each player receives 13 cards.
At the beginning of each round players choose 3 cards to pass to another player. This rotates every round to the left right across or no pass.
The player with the 2 of clubs starts the round. Each turn players must follow the same suit if they have it. If not they may play another card.
The highest card of the leading suit wins the trick and that player collects all the cards played.
Each heart card taken is worth 1 penalty point.
The Queen of Spades is worth 13 penalty points making it the most dangerous card in the game.
The total number of penalty points per round is 26. Once a player reaches 100 or more points the game ends and the lowest score wins.
If a player manages to collect all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades in one round they shoot the moon.
This allows the player to either subtract 26 points from their score or add 26 points to all other players depending on game settings.
When passing cards avoid giving low cards in dangerous suits like spades or hearts.
Try to void one suit early so you can discard penalty cards during later tricks.
Watch what suits other players are lacking to avoid helping them shoot the moon.
Keep track of the Queen of Spades and avoid winning tricks where it may be played.
Hearts is best played with four players. Online versions automatically manage turns passing and score tracking. The image shows a typical digital layout where players pass three cards to another player before the round begins. Each player's score is displayed and card selections are made through simple taps or clicks.
Character avatars and colorful designs help modern versions of Hearts stay engaging while keeping the traditional gameplay intact. Some versions also allow solo play against computer opponents with various difficulty levels.
Hearts offers a refreshing twist for players who enjoy strategy and interaction. Instead of chasing high scores the game rewards players who can avoid them and manipulate others into collecting penalty cards. Whether you play casually or competitively Hearts remains one of the most iconic trick-taking card games with layers of strategy behind every move.
