How to Play Hearts

Categories game card-game hearts instructions tutorial card games hearts game rules

Hearts is a popular trick-taking card game usually played with 4 players. The objective is to score the lowest points by avoiding certain cards or "shooting the moon." Here is a step-by-step guide on how to play Hearts:

Rules of Hearts

Setup: A standard 52-card deck is used. Each player is dealt 13 cards.
Point Cards: Avoid winning tricks with Hearts (worth 1 point each) and the Queen of Spades (worth 13 points).
Passing Cards: At the beginning of each round, players pass 3 cards to another player. The direction alternates: left, right, or across. On the 4th round, no passing occurs.
Gameplay: Players take turns playing one card per trick. The player with the 2 of Clubs starts the first trick. The winner of the trick leads the next one.
Rules for Tricks: Players must follow suit if possible. If not, they can play any card. Points are scored based on cards in a won trick.
Shooting the Moon: A player who wins all Hearts and the Queen of Spades scores 0 points while all opponents get 26 points.
Winning the Game: The game ends when one player reaches or exceeds 100 points. The player with the lowest score wins.

Mastering Hearts involves strategy, clever passing, and precise choices during tricky situations. Practice often, and you’ll soon become a winning player!