How to Play Hearts: Complete Rules & Strategy Guide

Overview

Hearts is a classic trick-taking card game for 4 players. The objective is to have the lowest score at the end of the game. Points are earned by taking tricks containing hearts (1 point each) or the Queen of Spades (13 points). The game ends when any player reaches 100 points in Classic mode or 50 points in Quick mode.

The Cards

A standard 52-card deck is used. Cards rank from 2 (low) to Ace (high). There are no trump suits in standard Hearts.

Game Setup

  • All 52 cards are dealt evenly to 4 players (13 cards each).
  • Each hand begins with a passing round (except every 4th hand, which is a "hold" hand).

Passing

Before each hand, players select 3 cards from their hand to pass to another player. The direction rotates every hand:

  • 1st hand: Pass left
  • 2nd hand: Pass right
  • 3rd hand: Pass across (opponent)
  • 4th hand: Hold — no passing

Gameplay

  • The player holding the 2 of Clubs leads the first trick.
  • Play proceeds clockwise.
  • Each player must follow suit if possible. If you don't have a card of the led suit, you may play any card.
  • The highest card of the led suit wins the trick. The winner leads the next trick.
  • Hearts cannot be led on the first trick, and cannot be led in general until "broken" — meaning someone has played a heart on another suit because they couldn't follow suit.
  • Once hearts are broken, any player may lead hearts.

Scoring

  • Each heart taken in tricks: 1 point
  • The Queen of Spades (♠Q): 13 points
  • Total points per hand: 26

Shooting the Moon

If one player takes ALL 13 hearts AND the Queen of Spades in a single hand (26 points), they "shoot the moon." Instead of receiving 26 points, they get 0 points, and all other players receive 26 points each. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy.

Winning

The game ends when any player reaches or exceeds the target score (100 for Classic, 50 for Quick). The player with the lowest score wins.

Strategy Tips

During Passing

  • Pass high cards — Kings, Queens, and Aces are dangerous because they're likely to win tricks containing hearts.
  • Pass the Queen of Spades if you have it — 13 points is too dangerous to keep.
  • Try to void a suit — If you pass all your clubs, you'll be able to discard hearts or the Queen when clubs are led.
  • Don't pass hearts unless necessary. Hearts passed are hearts you won't have to worry about.

During Play

  • Lead low in safe suits — Lead low cards in suits you have many of, especially if you don't have the Queen or high hearts.
  • Duck when you can't win — If another player is leading a high card and you can't win, throw your highest card to avoid winning future tricks.
  • Void suits early — If you've voided a suit during passing, play that suit when you want to discard hearts or the Queen.
  • Pay attention to what's been played — Track which hearts and the Queen of Spades are still out.

Shooting the Moon

  • Only attempt if you have very high hearts (Ace, King, Queen) and low cards in other suits.
  • You need to win tricks, so having high cards is essential.
  • It's risky — if you fail to take all 26 points, you'll have a very high score.

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