HEARTS
- Game Type: Rummy
- Age: 12+
- Players: 2+
- The pack: 52 card deck
OBJECT OF THE GAME
Hearts is one of the most popular trick-taking card games played worldwide. Its competitive nature makes it a popular choice for families or groups of friends seeking an engaging and enjoyable time together. As the name suggests, Hearts is a card game centred around the suit of Hearts. It also revolves around the Queen of Spades.
Hearts is played using a standard deck that comprises 52 playing cards. The game can be played between multiple players. 4 players are the optimal number of players for the game. However, the game can also be played by 3 or 2 number of players. Each player receives an equal number of cards at the start of the game, and their chances of winning depend on how they manage their hand.
This blog explains how to play Hearts skilfully:
What is the Hearts card game?
As mentioned, Hearts is a trick-taking card game. In the game each players aims to avoid tricks involving the Hearts cards and the Queen of Spades.
A target point total is set before the game begins. It is generally 100 points. The game concludes when any one the player hits the target point total or higher. On conclusion, the player with the lowest score is declared as the Hearts game winner. This indicates acing the game requires both skill and tactful hearts card game strategies.
As mentioned, the game is played with a standard deck of playing cards. Each player receives an equal number of cards at the start of the game. The number of cards dealt to each player depends on the total number of players. A detailed explanation can be found later in the blog. Continue reading.
The ranking of the hearts playing card is standard. The Ace holds the highest value in the deck, followed by King, Queen, Jack, and the number cards. This means that card 2 will hold the lowest value in the deck.
How do you set up the Heart games?
Setting up the Heart games is very simple. First thing first, the playing cards need to be distributed among the players.
If 4 players are playing the card game, each player will receive 13 cards. If 3 players are playing the game, each player will receive 17 cards (2 Diamond cards are removed from the deck). If 2 players are playing the game, each player will receive 10 cards (2 Club cards are removed from the deck).
Once each player has received their respective number of cards, the game can begin. The game will take place in the clockwise direction. The cards will be placed face down and will be dealt one at a time.
Now that you know how to set up the game, let's move on to learn to play Hearts.
How to play the Hearts card game?
A Hearts game between four players typically lasts about 30 minutes. This game is played in hands. In each hand 13 tricks are played. Each trick lasts approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
The following pointers explain how the Hearts card game unfolds in each hand.
First hand – First trick
- Each card player at the table will evaluate the cards they have.
- They will choose and pass three cards to their opponent.
- Once the first pass is complete, the card player with 2 Clubs will open the trick.
- After the trick is played, each player will get a chance to play a single card.
- The player with the highest-ranking card in the leading suit (in this case, the Clubs) wins the trick and places the cards face-down in front of all players.
Before moving forward, here are important Hearts card game rules to make note of:
- Players must follow the suit of the card that was led if they have a card of that suit.
- However, if a player does not have a card for the suit that was led, they can discard a card from another suit.
- The Heart Card and Queen of Spades cannot be discarded only in the first trick.
- The winner of the first trick leads the next one.
First hand – Second trick
- As mentioned, the winner of the first trick will lead this one.
- The second trick will be played in a similar fashion as the first one. However, a few additional rules will apply to it.
The rules of Hearts are as follows:
- The players can lead the trick with any card but the Hearts Card.
- No trick can be led by Hearts until a Heart or the Queen of Spades has been discarded.
- The Queen of Spades can be led at any point during the game.
- The Queen of Spades can be discarded at any time.
First hand – concluded.
- All players must continue the game until 13 tricks are played.
- Once all 13 tricks are played each players points will be calculated.
- The scoring in the Hearts card game is – 1 point for Heart Cards, while 13 points for the Queen of Spades.
- When a player captures all 13 Hearts and the Queen of Spades in a single hand, instead of losing 26 points, that player scores zero. Following this, their opponents will receive an additional 26 points.
- This is known as “Shooting the Moon.”
Second hand – begins and so on
- All players can play the second hand of Hearts in a similar fashion.
- The game will be played in a clockwise direction.
- The player with 2 Clubs will initiate the first trick.
- The winner of the first trick will lead the second one.
- The rules outlined firsthand will continue to apply throughout the game.
Continue with more hands
- All players must continue playing hands until one of the players reaches the target point total of 100 points.
- Once this happens, the Hearts game is concluded.
- As the game is concluded, the points of each player are calculated.
- The player with the lowest points is declared as the Hearts winner.
What are the best cards to pass in Hearts?
To give you a complete understanding of how do you play the card game hearts knowing the direction and the best cards to pass is important.
The Hearts playing cards are played in the following direction in each hand:
- First hand – The cards are passed to the right side.
- Second hand – The cards are passed to the left side.
- Third hand – The cards are passed across the table.
- Fourth hand – No pass takes place. All players deal with their own cards only.
The best cards of pass in Hearts:
- Evaluate all cards at hand.
- Always try to first pass the Queen of Spades as it is associated with the highest points.
- Having the Queen of Spades card in your hand can raise your total score, reducing your winning chances. Hence, the faster you pass it, the better.
- The same logic applies to the King of Spades in regards to passing.
- Next, you must try to pass the Heart Cards. They will draw you 1 point each. This can gradually increase your score, ultimately taking you further from victory.
- You must also consider passing on the Ace, King, and Queen of any suit. This will keep your score in check.
Wrapping it up
The Hearts is one of the most competitive trick-taking games to play with family and friends. A targe point total of 100 points is set before the game starts. The game concludes when any one of the players reaches 100 points or higher. As the game concludes, the player with the lowest score is declared the winner. The lowest score is maintained by avoiding tricks that involve Heart Cards and the Queen of Spades.


