Game guide · NEW61
Rules, controls and help for Hearts
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
Something to practise
Take a moment to check the current turn. On the first trick, do not discard a heart or Q♠ unless no non-penalty card is available.
Aim for this result
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
How to proceed
- 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.
How to interact with the game
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
See how the rules apply
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. 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.
One detail worth checking
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.
Common questions
For this game, what is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
When I start, can you show an example?
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, 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 game is played locally in your browser.
How many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
What is shooting the moon?
Collect all thirteen hearts and Q♠ in the same hand; each opponent receives 26 points while you receive zero. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, 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. A new round resets the current game.
