The card game Hearts is a classic that has been enjoyed by players for generations. It’s a strategic game requiring skill, cunning, and a little bit of luck. In this quick guide, we’ll cover the basics of how to play Hearts, so you can start enjoying this fun and challenging game right away.
Getting Started: The Basics of Hearts
Hearts is typically played with four players and uses a standard 52-card deck. Each player is dealt 13 cards, and the objective is to avoid receiving points during the game. Unlike many card games, in Hearts, having fewer points is the key to winning.
Card Values
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Each Heart | 1 point |
| Queen of Spades | 13 points |
| Other Cards | 0 points |
Starting the Game
Players start by passing three cards to another player. This pass direction changes every round. In the first round, cards are passed to the left; in the second round, to the right; in the third round, across the table; and in the fourth round, no passing occurs.
Steps to Follow
- Pass three cards based on the round’s direction.
- The player holding the 2 of Clubs starts the game by playing it.
- Players must follow suit if possible. If they cannot, they may play any other card.
- Hearts cannot be played as the first trick unless a heart or the Queen of Spades has been played previously in the game.
Playing Tricks
Each player plays one card per trick. The highest card in the suit led wins the trick, and the trick winner takes all cards played. The aim is to avoid collecting hearts or the Queen of Spades. The player who collects the fewest points at the end of the game wins.
Special Strategies
- Try to unload high cards early to avoid getting stuck with them.
- Keep track of which suits your opponents have run out of to plan your moves strategically.
- Consider “Shooting the Moon” – collecting all the hearts and the Queen of Spades, which gives your opponents 26 points each, while you get zero.
Scoring and Winning
The game continues until one player reaches 100 points. At that point, the player with the lowest score wins.
Scorekeeping
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Player 1 | 0 |
| Player 2 | 10 |
| Player 3 | 15 |
| Player 4 | 30 |
Now that you understand the basics, grab a deck of cards and some friends to experience the excitement of Hearts. Happy playing!