Game guide · MSFRIES
Your guide to Hearts
Check the rule below as you play. 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. Four players each receive thirteen cards. Pass three cards left, right, across, then hold on successive hands. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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.
Take a closer look while playing
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
The purpose of your moves
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Start here and follow along
- 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
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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
Read the position before choosing your next action. A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Keep this in mind
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Questions that come up during play
On this page, what is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
When I start, can you show an example?
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Does Q♠ break hearts?
Not at this table. A heart must have been played before hearts can lead, unless the leader holds only hearts. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, 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.
For this game, 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.