Hearts

How to Play Hearts

Hearts is a classic trick-taking card game where the goal is the opposite of most card games — you want to avoid winning tricks, especially those containing penalty cards. The game is played by three to seven players with a standard 52-card deck, each receiving 13 cards. All players pass three cards to the left before the first trick begins, which adds a fascinating layer of strategy as you try to pass your worst cards while receiving potentially dangerous ones back.

Hearts is played over multiple tricks, with each trick started by the player who won the previous one. You must follow suit if possible — playing a card of the same suit as the led card. If you cannot follow suit, you may play any card, including Hearts (which carry penalty points) or the Queen of Spades. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick, unless someone plays a Heart, in which case the highest Heart wins. The player who wins the trick with the Queen of Spades receives 13 penalty points — the single most dangerous card in the game.

Points in Hearts are tracked across multiple hands until someone reaches 100, at which point the player with the lowest score wins. The Queen of Spades awards 13 points, each Heart awards 1 point, and if someone manages to take all 26 penalty cards in a single hand (called "Shooting the Moon"), they receive 0 points while everyone else gets 26. The moon shot is the most exciting moment in Hearts — it flips the entire scoring table and requires both skill and a favorable dealt hand.

Pro Tips for Winning

• Pass your high cards first: Always pass your highest Hearts, the Queen of Spades if you have it, and any high cards in long suits. Getting rid of penalty card potential early is crucial.
• Keep cards back for the end: Sometimes you need to keep a low Heart or the Ace of Spades to avoid winning dangerous tricks later in the hand.
• Track what's been played: Note which high cards have been played, especially Spades. The Queen of Spades becomes safer once the Ace and King of Spades have been played.
• Consider shooting the moon carefully: Going for all 26 points requires both the right cards and the right situation. If opponents are close to 100 and you are far behind, it may be worth the risk.

Popular Variations

Black Maria is the original name for Hearts and uses exactly the same rules, with the Two of Clubs starting the first trick instead of the usual lowest lead. Canceled Hearts adds a rule where taking exactly 13 points (one Heart and the Queen of Spades) cancels out rather than scoring. Some groups play with a "no points on first trick" rule to ease the pain of bad early breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions