Learn to Play Hearts: Rules & Tips

Players	3-6 Players
Difficulty	3/10
Recommended Age	8+
Game Category	Trick-taking

Understanding the Basics

The Deck

To play Hearts, you need a standard deck of 52 cards. Remove the Jokers, shuffle the deck, and deal the cards evenly among the players. Depending on the number of players, some cards may be left over.

The Players

Hearts is typically a four-player game, and each player plays for themselves. However, you can also play with three or six players by removing or adding players accordingly.

The Objective

The objective of Hearts is to have the lowest score at the end of the game. The game is played over several rounds, and the player with the lowest score at the end of each round is the winner.

To achieve the objective, you need to avoid collecting points. Each heart card is worth one point, and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points. You want to avoid collecting these cards as much as possible.

At the beginning of each round, the player holding the 2 of Clubs starts the game. Each player must play a card of the same suit as the first card played, if possible. If a player does not have a card of the same suit, they can play any card they want. The player who plays the highest card of the same suit as the first card played wins the trick and starts the next trick.

In the next round, the player to the left of the player who started the previous round starts the game. The game continues until all cards have been played. At the end of each round, the scores are tallied, and the player with the lowest score wins.

Now that you understand the basics of Hearts, it’s time to start playing!

Setting Up the Game

To set up a game of Hearts, you will need a standard deck of 52 cards and at least three players, although four is the ideal number. The game can be played with up to six players, but the more players, the longer the game will take.

1. Shuffle the Deck: Shuffle the deck of cards thoroughly to ensure that the cards are well mixed.
2. Deal the Cards: The dealer will deal out the entire deck of cards, one card at a time, to each player in a clockwise direction.
3. Choose the First Lead: The player who has the Two of Clubs in their hand will lead the first trick. If no one has the Two of Clubs, then the player with the Three of Clubs will lead the first trick.
4. Play the Game: Once the first lead has been established, the game can begin. The player who leads the first trick can play any card in their hand, except for Hearts or the Queen of Spades. The other players must follow suit if they can. If they cannot follow suit, they can play any card they like.
5. Keep Score: Keep track of the score as the game progresses. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game is the winner.

Remember, the game of Hearts can take a while to play, so make sure you have plenty of time set aside before you start playing.

Playing the Game

Dealing the Cards

To start the game, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals out all 52 cards, one at a time, to each player.

• In a three-player game, each player receives 17 cards
• In a four-player game, each player receives 13 cards.
• If there are more than four players, divide into teams of two.

Passing the Cards

After the cards have been dealt, each player selects three cards from their hand to pass to another player. These selected cards are passed differently depending on how many players you have.

• Three-player games: pass to the left.
• Four-player games: Pass to the left in the first round, to the right in the second round, across in the third round, and do not pass any cards in the fourth round.
• More than four players: Pass to the left in the first round, to the right in the second round, across in the third round, and to the left again in the fourth round.

Trick-Taking Phase

The player with the two of clubs starts the first trick. Each player must follow suit if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, they can play any card. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the winner of the trick leads the next one. Hearts cannot be led until they have been “broken” by a player who cannot follow suit and plays a heart. The queen of spades is worth 13 points, and each heart is worth one point. The objective is to avoid taking any hearts or the queen of spades.

Scoring Phase

After all the tricks have been played, each player calculates their score. Players receive one point for each heart they have taken and 13 points for the queen of spades. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game wins.

That’s it! Now you know how to play Hearts. Have fun and good luck!

Strategies and Tips

Avoiding Points

Remember that in Hearts, the goal is to have the lowest score possible. To achieve this, you need to avoid taking points. Here are some tips to help you avoid taking points:

• Passing Cards: At the beginning of each round, you get to pass three cards to another player. Consider passing low cards, especially if they are not in the same suit as the cards you are holding. This will reduce your chances of taking a trick.
• Avoiding the Queen of Spades: The Queen of Spades is worth 13 points, so it’s important to avoid taking this card. If you have the chance to lead with a spade, consider leading with a low spade to force someone else to take the Queen.
• Leading with Low Cards: Leading with low cards can be a good strategy, especially if you don’t have any high cards. This can force other players to play low cards, which can help you avoid taking points.

Shooting the Moon

Shooting the Moon is when you take all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades. If you successfully shoot the moon, you will receive 0 points, and all other players will receive 26 points. Here are some tips for shooting the moon:

• Wait for the Right Moment: Shooting the moon can be risky, so it’s important to wait for the right moment. You should have a strong hand with a lot of high cards, and you should also make sure that other players have already taken some points.
• Lead with High Cards: To shoot the moon, you need to take all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades. To do this, you should lead with high cards whenever possible. This will force other players to play low cards, which can help you take the cards you need.
• Be Careful: Shooting the moon can be a risky strategy, as it can backfire if other players catch on to what you are doing. Be careful and make sure you have a strong hand before attempting to shoot the moon.

Variations of Hearts

Hearts is a classic card game that has been enjoyed for generations. While the basic rules of the game remain the same, there are many variations that can make the game even more exciting. Here are a few popular variations of Hearts:

Omnibus Hearts

In Omnibus Hearts, all of the Hearts cards and the Queen of Spades are worth -1 point, while the Jack of Diamonds is worth +10 points. This variation can be especially challenging because players must keep track of the scores for multiple cards.

Black Maria

Black Maria is a variation of Hearts that is played with a full deck of cards, including the Joker. In this game, the Joker is the highest card and the Ace of Spades is the second highest. The Queen of Spades and all of the Hearts cards are still worth points, but the Joker is worth -5 points. This variation can be a lot of fun because it adds an extra level of strategy to the game.

Spot Hearts

In Spot Hearts, each player is dealt a hand of cards with spots on them. The spots can be any shape or design, but they must be clearly visible. Players must try to avoid taking cards with spots on them, as each spot is worth one point. This variation can be a fun twist on the classic game, and it can be especially challenging for players who are used to playing Hearts without spots.

Jack of Diamonds

In Jack of Diamonds Hearts, the Jack of Diamonds is worth -10 points, while all of the other Hearts cards and the Queen of Spades are worth their usual point values. This variation can be especially challenging because players must try to avoid taking the Jack of Diamonds, which is usually a desirable card in the game of Hearts.

Passing Variations

Many variations of Hearts involve different rules for passing cards between players. For example, in some versions of the game, players may only pass cards to the left or to the right, while in others, players may choose which direction to pass their cards. These variations can add an extra level of strategy to the game and make it even more exciting.

No matter which variation of Hearts you choose to play, the game is sure to be a lot of fun. With its simple rules and endless possibilities for strategy, Hearts is a classic card game that is sure to provide hours of entertainment for players of all ages.

Related Card Games

If you enjoy playing Hearts, you may also enjoy these similar card games:

• Spades
• Euchre
• Bridge