How to play Hearts
Hearts is a four-player trick-taking game where you try not to win points. Every heart you take costs 1 point and the Queen of spades costs 13. When someone reaches 100, the player with the lowest score wins.
Passing
After the deal, everyone passes three cards: to the left on the first hand, to the right on the second, across on the third, and no pass on the fourth. Then the cycle repeats. Pass the cards that are most likely to win tricks you don’t want, such as the Queen, Ace or King of spades and high hearts.
Playing tricks
- The player holding the 2 of clubs leads it to the first trick.
- You must follow suit if you can. If you can’t, you may play any card.
- The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the winner leads the next one.
- No hearts or Queen of spades may be played on the first trick, unless you have nothing else.
- You can’t lead a heart until hearts have been “broken” (played on an earlier trick), unless you have only hearts.
Scoring
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Each heart | 1 |
| Queen of spades | 13 |
| Shooting the moon: take all 13 hearts and the Queen | 0 for you, 26 for everyone else |
How to play here
- Tap three cards, then the pass button. The cards you receive are highlighted.
- Tap a card to play it. Cards you can’t play right now are greyed out.
- Tap Hint for a suggestion on what to pass or play.
Tips
- Get rid of all your clubs or diamonds early. Once you’re out of a suit, you can throw away hearts and the Queen when it’s led.
- Play your highest card that still loses the trick. Save low cards for when you must stay under someone.
- If one player has taken every point so far, take a heart yourself to stop them shooting the moon.
Questions
Is it free? Do I need an account?
Yes, it’s free, with nothing to sign up for or download. Your game is saved in this browser after every card.
Do the computer players cheat?
No. Each one decides using only its own cards, the cards played so far, and the cards it passed.