Game guide · PYZSB
How to play Hearts
Check the rule below as you play. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. 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.
Give this approach a try
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.
Your objective
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
How a round unfolds
- 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.
Controls
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
Put the rules into context
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Watch out for this
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 game area remains available above the explanation.
Clarifying the way this game works
What is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The game is played locally in your browser.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, can you show an example?
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. No download or player account is required.
On this page, 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.
When I start, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
How many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
When I start, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, does Q♠ break hearts?
Not at this table. A heart must have been played before hearts can lead, unless the leader holds only hearts. A new round resets the current game.
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.