Game Play

Objective

The goal of Hearts is to be the player with the fewest points. Points are awarded at the end of every hand, and the game is over when a player reaches 100 points.

 

Getting Started: the Deal and Pass

Hearts uses a standard deck of playing cards, 13 of which are dealt to each player. After the deal, pass 3 cards to another player. Choose cards that you don't want or think will be damaging to another player. Usually these are high cards such as Kings and Aces.

Down to Business: Playing the Hand

After the deal and the pass, the player holding the 2 of clubs leads the first turn with that card. Everyone must follow the leader's suit if they can, otherwise any card can be played.

There are certain restrictions on when Hearts and the Queen of Spades can be played. Neither can be played on the first turn of a hand and players can't lead with Hearts until someone has played a Heart instead of the lead suit.

The player with the highest card from the lead suit wins the pile and leads the next trick. Try not to win piles with Hearts or the Queen of Spades because they increase your score. Each Heart is worth 1 point, and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points.

Shooting the Moon

If somebody takes all the points in a hand, then that player shoots the moon. Instead of getting 26 points the player gets none and everyone else receives the 26 points.