♥️ Hearts
🂡 Cards · 2 playsHearts
A trick-taking game in reverse: the object is to win as little as possible.
About Hearts
Hearts is played by four, and the scoring runs backwards — each heart costs a point and the Queen of Spades costs thirteen, so the aim is to avoid winning the tricks that carry them. Three cards pass to an opponent before play begins, and that pass is the first real decision: shedding high spades protects you from the Queen, while creating a void in a side suit lets you discard danger later. Good players count the spades that have gone and track who is likely holding the Queen, then lead suits that force it out of hiding. The one exception to caution is shooting the moon, taking every penalty card in a hand, which scores against everyone else and collapses the moment a single heart escapes you.
How to Play
Pass three cards, then follow the suit that was led whenever you hold it. Each heart is one point and the Queen of Spades is thirteen; the lowest total wins. Collect all the penalty cards in one hand to shoot the moon and charge the points to your opponents instead.
💡 Tips & Strategy
Void yourself of a suit early. Being able to discard a dangerous card when that suit is led is the single most useful position in the game, and the first few tricks are when you can build it cheaply.
Track the queen of spades above everything else. If you hold the ace or king of spades without enough low spades to protect them, you are one spade lead away from taking her. Play your high spades out early or make sure you can duck.
Pass with intent rather than passing your highest cards by reflex. High cards in a suit you hold many of are safer than middling cards in a short suit, because length lets you duck. Aces and kings in short suits are the real liability.
Shooting the moon needs every trick and only works from a hand that can take all thirteen, so recognise early whether you are going for it or against it. Half-hearted attempts hand opponents a comfortable round.