Game guide · HBCYGSL
Know the goal in Hearts
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. Four players each receive thirteen cards. Pass three cards left, right, across, then hold on successive hands. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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.
One thing to notice as you play
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
What the game asks you to do
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
From the start of a round
- 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.
Getting comfortable with the controls
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
See how the rules apply
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Watch out for this
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
A few questions answered
On this page, what is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. A new round resets the current game.
Can you show an example?
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, 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. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. No download or player account is required.
During a round, 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.
How does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, 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.
During a round, what is shooting the moon?
Collect all thirteen hearts and Q♠ in the same hand; each opponent receives 26 points while you receive zero. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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.