Hearts is the classic trick-taking card game for four, played against three computer opponents. Each hand, pass three cards, then follow suit trick by trick while trying not to win hearts (1 point each) or the Queen of Spades (13). Or go for broke: take every point card to shoot the moon and give everyone else 26. The match ends when someone reaches the target — the lowest score wins. Choose easy, normal or hard opponents.
How to play Hearts
Goal: Take as few points as possible; the lowest total when the match ends wins.
Keyboard & mouse
- Click three cards and press Pass at the start of a hand
- Click a highlighted card to play it
- Tab between cards and press Enter
- P or Escape to pause
Phone & tablet
- Tap three cards, then Pass
- Tap a highlighted card to play it
- New match and Options sit under the table
Rules
- Pass three cards before each hand: left, right, across, then a hand with no passing.
- The 2♣ leads the first trick. Follow the led suit if you can; the highest card of that suit wins.
- No hearts or Queen of Spades on the first trick unless you have nothing else.
- Hearts cannot be led until one has been played.
- Each heart is 1 point, the Queen of Spades 13. Take all 26 and everyone else gets 26 instead.
Tips and strategy
- Pass away the Queen, Ace and King of Spades unless you hold plenty of low spades.
- Empty a suit early so you can discard dangerous cards on it.
- Watch who takes points — if one player is collecting them all, stop the moon shot!
