Objetivo
Avoid winning hearts (1 point each) and the Queen of Spades (13 points). Or collect all penalty cards to 'shoot the moon.'
Resumen
Hearts is a trick-avoidance card game for four players. Unlike most card games, the goal is to avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the Queen of Spades. However, capturing all penalty cards ('shooting the moon') reverses scoring spectacularly.
Preparación
Standard 52-card deck, 4 players. Deal all cards evenly (13 each). Before play, each player passes 3 cards to another player (rotation: left, right, across, then no passing, repeating).
Cómo jugar
- The player with the 2 of clubs leads the first trick.
- Players must follow suit if possible; otherwise, they may play any card.
- Highest card of the led suit wins the trick.
- Hearts cannot be led until 'broken' (someone discards a heart on another suit).
- The Queen of Spades can be played anytime you don't have the led suit.
- Winner of each trick leads the next.
- After all 13 tricks, count penalty points: each heart = 1 point, Queen of Spades = 13 points.
- If one player takes all 26 penalty points ('shoots the moon'), they score 0 and everyone else scores 26.
Ganar el juego
Play continues over multiple rounds. When any player reaches 100 points, the player with the lowest score wins.
Consejos estratégicos
Avoid the Queen of Spades above all - 13 points is devastating.
Pass high spades (A, K, Q) if you have them - they're dangerous to hold.
Keep some low cards to escape tricks when hearts or the Queen are played.
Track who is void in which suits - they might dump the Queen.
Shooting the moon requires controlling most tricks - plan from the start if attempting.
The jack of diamonds variant: capturing it subtracts 10 points.
Variantes
Jack of DiamondsCapturing it subtracts 10 points.
Spot HeartsEach heart worth its face value.
Partnership HeartsTwo teams of two.