Hearts
Free online card game · Play the computer · No sign-up
Hearts in a nutshell
Hearts is a four-player card game where you try not to win the wrong cards. Each heart you take costs 1 point and the Queen of Spades costs 13. The game ends when someone reaches 100 points, and the player with the lowest score wins.
- Deal 13 cards each. Shuffle and deal the whole pack, so each of the four players has 13 cards.
- Pass three cards. Choose three cards to pass. Pass to the left, then right, then across, then keep them, in turn.
- Lead the 2 of clubs. The player holding the 2 of clubs leads it to the first trick.
- Follow suit. Everyone must play a card of the suit led if they can. If not, they may play any card.
At a glance
- Players
- 4 players each playing alone
- Length
- 20 to 30 minutes a game to 100 points
- Equipment
- 52 cards one standard pack
- Learn it in
- 10 minutes easy to start, fun to master
Hearts questions
What does shooting the moon mean in Hearts?
If you take all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades in one hand, you score 0 and every other player scores 26. It is risky, but it can turn a game around.
Can I play a heart on the first trick?
In the common rules, no. You may not play a heart or the Queen of Spades on the first trick, unless you have nothing else to play.
What does breaking hearts mean?
Hearts are broken when someone first plays a heart, because they could not follow suit. After that, anyone may lead a heart.
When does a game of Hearts end?
The game ends when a player reaches 100 points or more at the end of a hand. The player with the lowest score wins.
Is the Jack of Diamonds worth anything?
Not in the standard game. Some groups play a variation where taking the Jack of Diamonds takes 10 points off your score.
