Game guide · LOUPINWU
Making your first moves in Hearts
Take a moment to check the current turn. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The game area remains available above the explanation. 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.
Practice beyond the first move
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. On the first trick, do not discard a heart or Q♠ unless no non-penalty card is available.
Understand the aim
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Follow these playing steps
- 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.
Making selections and moves
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
An example to follow
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.
A common point of confusion
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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 game area remains available above the explanation.
Game-specific help
During a round, 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.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
Can you show an example?
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. A new round resets the current game.
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 instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, does Q♠ break hearts?
Not at this table. A heart must have been played before hearts can lead, unless the leader holds only hearts. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.