You hold the 2 of Clubs. The first trick is about to start, and you have three cards to pass before that. Every heart you take is a point against you, and the Queen of Spades is a crippling 13. Low score wins-that’s the simple goal, but the real fun comes from reading the table, managing your hand, and maybe pulling off a daring Shoot the Moon.

About Hearts

Hearts is a classic four-player trick-taking card game where the goal is to score as few points as possible. Each heart card you collect gives you 1 penalty point, and the Queen of Spades adds 13. The game ends when a player reaches 100 points, and the lowest score wins. It’s a game of timing, memory, and smart risk-taking. This online version stays true to the classic rules and is a great fit for fans of card games looking for a quick, strategic challenge.

You play against three computer opponents, with a clean interface that makes card passing, trick play, and scoring easy to follow. The game includes a handy rule explanation for newcomers, so you can jump in even if you’ve never played before. It rewards skill and logic more than luck, and every hand feels different thanks to shifting card passes and the evolving strategy around the Queen of Spades.

How to Play Hearts

The game proceeds through a passing phase, then a series of tricks until all cards are played.

Passing Phase: Before the first trick, each player selects three cards to pass to an opponent. The direction rotates each hand: first left, then right, then across, then no pass. Players usually dump high cards or risky spades to avoid taking penalty tricks later.

Leading the First Trick: The player holding the 2 of Clubs leads the first card. In the opening trick, you cannot play any hearts or the Queen of Spades.

Following Suit: When a suit is led, you must play a card of that suit if you have one. If you don’t, you may play any card from another suit, with the same restriction that hearts cannot be played in the first trick unless you’re breaking hearts.

Breaking Hearts: You cannot lead a trick with a heart until someone has played a heart while unable to follow suit-this is called “breaking hearts.” After that, hearts can be led freely.

Winning a Trick: The highest card of the led suit wins the trick. That player collects any penalty cards in the trick and leads the next trick. Play continues until all 52 cards are played.

Scoring: Each heart taken = 1 point. Queen of Spades = 13 points. After scoring, if any player reaches 100 or more, the game ends and the lowest score wins. Ties for lowest are broken by continuing to play until one player is the sole winner.

Tips for Hearts

Dump high spades early. Getting rid of the Ace or King of Spades reduces the risk of accidentally taking the Queen of Spades later.
Short-suit yourself. Try to run out of one suit (like diamonds) so you can dump penalty cards when that suit is led.
Watch for the Moon. If one player seems to be taking every heart and the Queen, they might be attempting to Shoot the Moon. You must take at least one heart to stop them.
Pass wisely. Use the passing phase to offload high clubs, high spades, or any heart that might force you to win a trick.

Game Controls

Left Mouse Button - Select and play a card

Key Features of Hearts

Shooting the Moon

If a player manages to collect all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades in a single hand, they score 0 points for that round. Every other player receives 26 points. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can swing the entire game.

Rotating Pass Direction

The passing order changes each hand (left, right, across, none), forcing you to adapt your strategy. A card you pass away might come back to haunt you in later hands.

Clean, Modern Interface

The online version keeps the classic gameplay but with smooth animations and clear card displays, making it easy to track which cards have been played.

FAQs

How do you win at Hearts?

The player with the lowest total score once someone reaches 100 points wins. You win by avoiding hearts and the Queen of Spades, or by successfully Shooting the Moon.

What is Shooting the Moon in Hearts?

It’s when one player takes all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades in a single hand. Instead of getting 26 points, they get 0, and every other player gets 26 points.

How do you break hearts in Hearts?

Hearts stay “closed” until someone plays a heart while unable to follow the led suit. That action “breaks hearts” and allows any player to lead a heart on later tricks.