Hearts
Avoid penalty cards, follow suit, and decide whether to risk Shooting the Moon.
Round progressPass three cards, then follow suit and avoid penalty cards.
HeartsSettings
WeightPlay Original Game Guide
Hearts
Pass three cards, follow suit, and avoid penalty hearts across thirteen tricks.
GameplayClassic Evasion Trick-Taking
GenreCard · Family · Strategy
DifficultyEasy to Challenging
Estimated Play Time5-15 minutes
World and Mission
Hearts turns one ordinary deck into a full table of risk: every trick asks whether you can follow suit, shed a dangerous card, or let another player take the points.
A deal lasts thirteen tricks. You start by passing three cards, then read the exposed cards and the players who are void in a suit before deciding how aggressively to chase a low score or Shooting the Moon.
How the Systems Work
Four players receive thirteen cards. You must follow the suit that was led when possible; otherwise you may discard any card. The first trick must be led with the Two of Clubs.
Each heart is worth one penalty point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13. Hearts stay locked as a lead until a heart has been played, unless the leader has no safe card left.
The player who wins a trick leads the next one. If one player collects all 26 penalty points, Shooting the Moon changes that player's score to -26 and gives the other players 26 points.
How to Play
- Select exactly three cards to pass, then use the Pass 3 action. The exchanged cards return to the hand before play begins.
- Find the Two of Clubs and lead it when it is your turn to start the deal; otherwise follow the led suit whenever your hand allows.
- When you cannot follow suit, choose whether to discard a heart, the Queen of Spades, or a safer card. Do not lead hearts until they are broken unless no safe lead remains.
- Play through all thirteen tricks and read the Result score. A new deal starts from the Main screen; there is no campaign ladder to imply beyond the completed round.
Strategy Tips
- Pass high hearts and the Queen of Spades when the exchange gives you a safer hand; keep low cards that help you follow suit.
- Track which suits each player can no longer follow. A void is a clue that can let that player discard a penalty card on the next trick.
- Treat the first trick carefully: it must begin with the Two of Clubs, and taking an early penalty can hand the lead to a player who wants to control the next trick.
- Chase Shooting the Moon only when the hand gives you a credible route to every penalty card; otherwise reduce your own score and avoid collecting points.
Campaign and Difficulty Growth
There is no account level or campaign track. Each complete deal is a self-contained thirteen-trick challenge, and replay value comes from a new deal, a different pass, and better reading of the other hands.
Developer Design Note
The browser version uses one local four-player card engine for passing, follow-suit legality, hearts-breaking, penalty scoring, Shooting the Moon, and the final Result. The same rules are available through touch, mouse, and keyboard-friendly card controls.
Player and Save Information
Play Hearts free in your browser with no account or purchase required. The deal and result stay in this browser only; clearing site data or switching browsers can remove the local record.
FAQ
- Why must the first trick start with the Two of Clubs?
- It gives the opening lead a fixed, visible starting point before the winner of later tricks controls the lead.
- When can I play a heart?
- You must follow the led suit when possible. Hearts cannot be led until hearts are broken, unless the leader has no non-penalty card available.
- How many points are penalty cards worth?
- Each heart is worth 1 point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points.
- What is Shooting the Moon?
- If one player collects all 26 penalty points, that player receives -26 and each other player receives 26.
- How does a trick winner lead next?
- The player with the highest card in the led suit wins the trick and leads the following trick.
- Is progress saved?
- The current deal and result stay only in this browser; there is no account or cloud save.
- What does the pass preview show?
- Before you confirm Pass 3, the preview counts selected Hearts and Q♠ penalty points and warns when those cards leave you void in a suit.
