Hearts Card Game: Know How to Play & Tips to Win Hearts Game

What is Hearts Card Game?

Hearts card game is a classic trick-taking card game that requires skill and strategy. It's played with a standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers) and is best enjoyed with four players. The objective of the game is to score as few points as possible; the player with the lowest score at the end wins.

How to Play Hearts Card Game: 6 Easy Steps

Game of Hearts is a classic card game for four players, and in order to win the heart game, it is important to know how to play hearts card game. The objective of the game is to score as few points as possible. Following is the explanation for all players who are just starting. 

Hearts are played with four players and a standard 52-card deck. Each player is dealt 13 cards.

1. Before the first round begins, know how to play hearts card game so that you are aware of how many cards each player is dealt. Each player selects three cards from their hand and passes them face down to the player on their left. Players cannot look at these cards until they have received cards from their right-side player.
2. The player who holds the 2 of clubs starts the game by playing it. Play continues clockwise, with each player required to follow suit if possible.
3. Each turn begins with one player laying down a card, with the suit of that card setting the trick's suit. Other players must follow suit if they have cards from that suit. If a player doesn't have a card of the suit played, they can play any card. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick unless a heart or the Queen of Spades is played, in which case the highest heart or the Queen of Spades wins.
4. Hearts cannot be led until they have been 'broken', meaning in a game of hearts, the heart has to be discarded onto a trick when a player cannot follow the suit led. Once this has occurred, hearts can be led in future tricks.
5. At the end of each round (when all cards have been played), players count the number of hearts they've taken, each worth one point, and the player who took the Queen of Spades receives 13 points.
6. The heart game continues until one player reaches or passes 50 points. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game wins. If there's a tie, continue playing rounds until there's a clear winner.

Note: Special Rule – 'Shooting the Moon' in Hearts Game

If a player manages to take all the scoring cards (all the hearts plus the Queen of Spades), they've achieved a feat known as "shooting the moon," and they score zero points for the round while all other players score 26 points. 

Remember, the aim of the hearts game is to have the fewest points at the end of the game. Be strategic about what cards you pass on, which to play, and when to try shooting the moon!

Also Read About :- 14 Best Card Games to Play in 2023

Tips for Playing Hearts Card Game

While the rules for playing Hearts are simple, mastering the game requires strategic thinking and a deep understanding of your opponents' gameplay.

Pass Wisely: The passing phase is a great opportunity to get rid of high-ranking cards, especially from the heart suit or the queen of spades. But also consider getting rid of cards from a suit in which you're short, to increase the chance of discarding penalty cards during play.

Be Mindful of the Queen: Always keep track of the queen of spades. If you're holding cards from the spade suit, keeping some low spades in your hand is usually a good idea to protect yourself.

Consider 'Shooting the Moon': This is a risky strategy, but it might be worth a try if you find yourself with a handful of high-ranking cards.

Conclusion: Hearts Card Game

Heart game is a fun and engaging game that offers more than just following the rules. It's about understanding your opponents, using strategy, and sometimes taking a little risk. The more you play, the more you'll learn and enjoy this timeless card game.

FAQ About Hearts Card Game

How do you play Hearts card games?

"Hearts" is a trick-taking game usually played by 4 players using a standard 52-card deck. The objective of the game is to have the fewest points at the end.

Can 2 people play Hearts?

While Hearts is typically designed for four players, adapting the card game for two players is possible. You'll need to remove some cards and change the rules slightly to accommodate the smaller number of players. 

Can you play Hearts game with 7 players?

Yes, the Hearts card game can be played among seven players, but it will require modifications to the game. For example, a common variant for 5-7 players uses two decks shuffled together. In these cases, two of each card are in play, which significantly changes strategy and gameplay.

What is the difference between Spades and Hearts in card games?

Hearts and Spades are trick-taking games but have different rules and objectives. In Hearts, the goal is to score the fewest points by avoiding certain cards (all Hearts and the Queen of Spades). In Spades, however, the goal is to accurately predict the number of tricks you'll win in each round and then meet that prediction to score points. The suit of Spades is always trump in the game of Spades, which isn't the case for any suit in Hearts.

Is Hearts card game is a game of skill or luck?

Hearts is a game of skill as it requires players to predict the number of tricks to win. How a player decides to pass their cards, lead tricks, follow suit, and strategically break Hearts or shoot the moon involves a significant amount of skill. Over the course of many games, skill tends to have an influence on the outcome of the game.