Game guide · DLGZJX
Know the goal in Hearts
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. Four players each receive thirteen cards. Pass three cards left, right, across, then hold on successive hands. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Four-player free Hearts against three local computers, to 100 points. This table breaks hearts only with a heart, not with Q♠. No cash play or internet matchmaking.
Try a more deliberate round
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. On the first trick, do not discard a heart or Q♠ unless no non-penalty card is available.
The goal to keep in mind
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades.
Step by step
- Four players each receive thirteen cards. Pass three cards left, right, across, then hold on successive hands.
- The player holding 2♣ leads the first trick. Follow suit whenever possible.
- On the first trick, do not discard a heart or Q♠ unless no non-penalty card is available.
- Hearts may lead only after a heart has been played, unless your whole hand consists of hearts.
- The highest card of the led suit wins the trick. Each heart adds one penalty point and Q♠ adds thirteen.
- Taking all 26 penalty points in one hand shoots the moon: your score gains zero and each opponent gains 26.
- After all thirteen tricks, choose Next hand. The match ends once anyone reaches 100; the lowest total wins.
Keyboard and screen controls
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Select three cards and press Pass selected cards during passing. During play, tap a legal card. Next hand continues the match; New match resets totals. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
One way to understand the rules
A careful first move helps you understand the round. A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Check this before moving on
Check the rule below as you play. Having a high card in another suit does not win a trick. Only the highest rank in the suit that was led can win it. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Common questions
When I start, what is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Select three cards and press Pass selected cards during passing. During play, tap a legal card. Next hand continues the match; New match resets totals. The controls work with mouse or touch.
For this game, can you show an example?
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
Having a high card in another suit does not win a trick. Only the highest rank in the suit that was led can win it. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, what rules and limits are used here?
Four-player free Hearts against three local computers, to 100 points. This table breaks hearts only with a heart, not with Q♠. No cash play or internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
When I start, how many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, does Q♠ break hearts?
Not at this table. A heart must have been played before hearts can lead, unless the leader holds only hearts. No download or player account is required.
For this game, what is shooting the moon?
Collect all thirteen hearts and Q♠ in the same hand; each opponent receives 26 points while you receive zero. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, how does the match end?
After a completed hand takes anyone to at least 100 total points. The lowest score wins; equal lowest scores share the result. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.