Hearts
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How to play
Pass cards, follow suit, and take as few penalty cards as possible.
- Pass three cards before most rounds.
- The two of clubs opens; hearts cannot lead until broken.
- Avoid hearts and the queen of spades, or shoot the moon.
How to Play Hearts
Hearts is a casual trick-taking game for four players where lower scores are better. Every heart adds one penalty point and the queen of spades adds thirteen, so careful card choices matter throughout each round.
You play against three computer opponents in your browser. Your current game, settings, and running scores stay on your device between visits.
Passing Cards
Each player starts with 13 cards. Before most rounds, choose three cards to pass: left in the first round, right in the second, across the table in the third, and nowhere in every fourth round. You receive three cards from another player.
High spades, unsupported high hearts, and awkward middle cards are common choices to pass. Keeping the queen of spades with several lower spades can sometimes give you more control than sending it to another player.
Playing a Round
The player holding the two of clubs leads the first trick. Everyone must follow suit when able; the highest card of the led suit takes the trick, and that player leads next. Hearts has no trump suit.
No penalty card may be played on the first trick. Hearts may not lead until broken, which means someone has already played a heart because they could not follow the led suit. The queen of spades may lead at any time.
Scoring and Shooting the Moon
At the end of a round, each heart adds one point and the queen of spades adds thirteen. The match ends when someone reaches 100 points, and the player with the lowest total wins.
If one player captures every heart and the queen of spades in one round, they shoot the moon. The selected setting either adds 26 points to each opponent or subtracts 26 from that player’s own score.
Basic Strategy
Emptying a suit early lets you play the queen of spades or a high heart when another suit is led. Count the spades above the queen: holding the queen with only one or two low spades can make it harder to control when she appears.
The lowest card is not always the best choice. Taking an early trick with a high club or diamond can give you the lead while the suit is still clear. If another player appears to be collecting every penalty card, taking one heart can stop a moon attempt.
About This Version
The computer players pass and play by the same rules you do, including the two-of-clubs opening, the clear first trick, and the broken-hearts rule. Table colours, card styles, moon scoring, and statistics are available in settings, and the New game link starts a fresh match.
Hearts Questions
Why do I have to play the two of clubs?
The player holding the two of clubs leads it on the first trick. This gives every round the same opening and is applied automatically.
When can I lead hearts?
Only after hearts are broken, which happens when someone plays a heart because they could not follow the led suit. The queen of spades is not limited by this rule.
What is shooting the moon?
It means taking all 13 hearts plus the queen of spades in one round. The selected setting changes the scores by 26 points.
Can a penalty card appear on the first trick?
No. Hearts and the queen of spades cannot be played on the opening trick.
How does the game end?
When any player reaches 100 points, the game stops and the lowest score wins. A smaller total is better.