How to Play Hearts
Overview
Hearts is a classic four-player trick-taking card game where the objective is to avoid penalty points. The game is played over several rounds until one player reaches 100 points, with the lowest score winning.
What You Need
- A standard 52-card deck (no jokers)
- 4 players
- Paper and pencil (or the in-game scoreboard)
Setup
- Shuffle and deal all 52 cards — each player gets 13 cards.
- Players sort their hands by suit and rank.
- Each player selects 3 cards to pass face down to an opponent.
- The passing rotation per hand: first hand pass left, second pass right, third pass across, fourth no pass (keeper).
Gameplay
Starting the Round
The player holding the 2 of clubs must lead it to start the first trick.
Trick-Taking Rules
- Players must follow suit if they have a card of the led suit.
- If you cannot follow suit, you may play any card (including hearts or the Queen of Spades).
- The highest card of the led suit wins the trick.
- The winner of each trick leads the next trick.
- Hearts cannot be led until they have been "broken" (played on a previous trick).
Scoring
- Each heart card taken in a trick: 1 penalty point
- Queen of Spades: 13 penalty points
- Total points possible per hand: 26
Shooting the Moon
If a player successfully takes ALL 13 hearts AND the Queen of Spades, they "shoot the moon." Instead of scoring 26 points, that player scores 0 and ALL opponents receive 26 penalty points. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
Winning
The game continues until one player reaches 100 points. The player with the LOWEST score at that point wins the game.
Strategy Tips
- Try to void yourself of one suit early by passing all cards of that suit.
- Hold high hearts and the Queen of Spades until late in the hand to avoid winning unwanted tricks.
- On the keeper hand (no passing), be extra cautious with high cards.
- Count how many hearts have been played so you know what's left.
FAQ
What is the goal of Hearts?
The goal is to have the lowest score. Each heart is worth 1 penalty point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points.
When can you play hearts in Hearts?
Hearts cannot be led until they are 'broken' — meaning a heart has been played on a previous trick. A player holding only hearts may lead one at any time.
How does card passing work in Hearts?
After the deal, each player passes 3 cards face down. The direction rotates: left, right, across, then no pass.