Hearts Card Game: A Comprehensive Guide to Rules, Strategy, and Gameplay
Hearts is a classic card game enjoyed by players of all skill levels. Unlike many card games rooted in Whist or Bridge, Hearts boasts a unique gameplay experience. Originating in the United States in the 1880s from the European game of Reversis, Hearts gained widespread popularity when Microsoft included it in early versions of Windows.
This guide provides an in-depth explanation of how to play Hearts, including the rules, strategies, and variations, using examples from 247 Hearts, a popular online platform.
The Objective of Hearts
The primary goal in Hearts is to avoid accumulating penalty points. Players with the lowest score at the end of the game win. Penalty points are primarily acquired through:
- Collecting cards of the heart suit.
- Collecting the Queen of Spades.
The game continues until one player reaches a predetermined score threshold, typically 100 points. The player with the fewest points at that time is declared the winner.
Understanding the Basics Before You Play
Before diving into a game of Hearts, familiarize yourself with these essential elements:
Standard Pack of Playing Cards
Hearts requires a standard 52-card deck. Jokers are removed. For three-player games, a card is also removed to ensure equal dealing.
Dealing With Different Player Numbers
- Three Players: 17 cards each. Remove the 2 of Diamonds before dealing. Some variations include a "kitty" of remaining cards awarded to the player who wins the first trick.
- Four Players: 13 cards each.
- Five Players: 10 cards each. Remove the 2 of Diamonds and the 2 of Clubs.
- More than seven players: Consider breaking into two separate games.
Card Rankings
Cards rank from highest to lowest: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2.
Dealing Cards
- Players cut the deck; the player with the lowest card deals.
- The dealer shuffles the deck thoroughly.
- Cards are dealt face-down, one at a time, clockwise around the table.
Passing 3 Cards
A unique aspect of Hearts involves passing three cards to another player at the beginning of each round.
- Four-Player Games: Pass to the right (round 1), to the left (round 2), across (round 3), and no pass (round 4). The sequence then repeats.
- Three-Player Games: Pass right, then left, then no pass. The sequence repeats.
Online versions like 247 hearts often allow you to see your hand before passing.
Scorekeeping
- Heart Suit: 1 penalty point per card.
- Queen of Spades: 13 penalty points.
Shooting the Moon
A player who collects ALL hearts cards AND the Queen of Spades scores 0 points, while all other players receive 26 points. This adds a significant strategic element to the game.
How to Play Hearts: A Step-by-Step Guide (with 247 Hearts Examples)
Here's a breakdown of how to play Hearts, using the 247 Hearts online platform as an illustrative example:
- Select Difficulty: 247 Hearts offers Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert levels.
- Deal: 247 Hearts automatically deals the cards.
- Pass Three Cards: Choose three cards to pass, considering which cards will make it harder to win tricks or which penalty cards to offload (hearts or the Queen of Spades). Prioritize passing high value hearts if you have them.
- Play the First Trick: The player holding the 2 of Clubs typically leads first (in some variations). If you have the lead, you initiate the suit. 247 Hearts highlights playable cards. Winning a trick allows you to start the next one.
- Continue Playing Tricks: Players must follow suit if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, they can play any card. This is often an opportunity to discard penalty cards (hearts or the Queen of Spades).
- Calculate Scores: At the end of each round, penalty points are tallied based on the hearts and Queen of Spades collected. 247 Hearts automates this process.
- Continue until a player reaches 100 points (or other agreed-upon threshold): The player with the lowest score wins.
Example from 247 Hearts:
Let's say the opening lead is a club. You must play a club if you have one. If you DON'T have a club, you can play any other card. Be strategic!
- Scenario 1: No Clubs. If you can't follow suit, consider playing a low-value heart to get rid of it.
- Scenario 2: Winning the Trick. If you win the trick (by playing the highest-ranking card of the lead suit), you lead the next trick
What Rule Variations Are There In Games Of Hearts?
Hearts has several variations. 247 Hearts uses standard rules, but here are other rule variations:
- Reverse Scoring: Goal is to collect penalty cards!
- Two-Card Pass: Only pass two cards (or another number up to the cards in the hand).
- Breaking Hearts: Hearts cannot be led until hearts have been "broken" (played on a previous trick). Sometimes the 2 of Clubs must be played before hearts are broken.
- Cancellation Hearts: Cards of the same rank cancel each other out.
- Jack of Diamonds: Receiving the Jack of Diamonds results in a bonus (or penalty!).
- Double Deck: Use two decks for larger groups.
- Deal cards face-up: Deal with cards face up.
- British Hearts: Additional penalties are incurred for receiving cards in a trick, other than the Queen of Spades, including 10 for the King of Spades, and 7 for the Ace of Spades.
Tips To Play Hearts Better
- Play for Voids: Try to get rid of all the cards in one suit. This gives you more flexibility to discard penalty cards later.
- Hold Onto Your Low Hearts: Having only low hearts later in the game can help you avoid taking penalty points.
- Pay Attention to Other Players’ Cards: Track what suits players are voiding to anticipate their plays. Is someone trying to shoot the moon?
- Be Careful of the Queen of Spades: Avoid it if possible, even if it means taking some hearts. Don't try to beat it with the Kiing of Spades.
- Use the Shoot for the Moon Strategy (Carefully!): High risk strategy that can pay off big! Consider abandoning this strategy if another player gets a heart.
- Use High-Value Cards When Losing a Trick: If you are going to win a trick, use it to eliminate a high-value card
Hearts FAQs
- Do you always have to play to 100 points in Hearts? No, 50 points or another agreed-upon total is alsocommon.
- What does the term "hand" mean in Hearts? The time it takes for each player to play all their cards.
- What does "trick" mean in Hearts? One round of play where each player plays one card.
- When can I play a heart in Hearts? Unless the "breaking hearts" rule is in effect, you can only play a heart as your lead card if another player has to play a heart first (if they don't have a card in the trick's originating suit).
Play Hearts Online
Ready to test your skills? Visit 247 Hearts and jump into a game! They offer different difficulty levels:
Enjoy playing Hearts!
