How to Play Hearts Online
Hearts is a classic trick-taking card game for four players where the objective is to avoid taking penalty cards - hearts (worth 1 point each) and the dreaded Queen of Spades (worth 13 points). The player with the lowest score when someone reaches 100 points wins. It's a game of careful card management, reading your opponents, and knowing when to take risks.
The Rules
Each round begins by dealing all 52 cards evenly (13 per player). Before playing, each player selects 3 cards to pass to another player. The passing direction rotates each round: left → right → across → hold (no pass). After passing, the player holding the 2 of Clubs leads the first trick.
Players must follow the led suit if possible. If you can't follow suit, you may play any card - but hearts and the Queen of Spades cannot be played on the first trick (unless that's all you have). Hearts cannot be led until they've been "broken" - played on a non-heart lead because a player was void in the led suit.
Scoring
- Each Heart taken in a trick = 1 point
- Queen of Spades = 13 points
- Total penalty points per round: 26
- Shooting the Moon: take ALL 26 penalty points → every other player gets +26 instead (or subtract 26 from your own score - your choice).
The game ends when any player reaches 100 points. The player with the lowest score at that point wins.
Strategy Tips
- Dump high hearts early - pass the Ace, King, and Queen of hearts during the pass phase if you don't want to collect hearts.
- Void a suit. In the pass phase, try to get rid of all cards in one suit. This lets you dump penalty cards when that suit is led.
- Watch for moon shooters. If one player is collecting all the hearts, play defensively - take a heart yourself to break the moon attempt.
- Lead low. Leading low cards forces others to play higher, potentially taking unwanted tricks.
- Count the Queen of Spades. If the Q♠ hasn't appeared, be very careful playing high spades.
History
Hearts evolved from a family of "avoidance" trick-taking games dating to 18th-century Spain and France. The modern rules solidified in the late 19th century in America. Hearts gained massive popularity when Microsoft included it in Windows 3.1 in 1992, introducing millions of computer users to the game. It remains one of the most played card games in the world - and now you can play it free online with AI opponents or real players, right in your browser.
FAQ
Can I shoot the moon?
Yes! If you take all 13 hearts plus the Queen of Spades in a single round, you "shoot the moon." Every other player gets +26 points while you get nothing. It's a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
Is this game really free?
100% free - no sign-up, no download, no ads. Play Hearts instantly against smart AI or challenge real players online.
Controls
Desktop: Click cards to pass or play
Mobile: Tap cards to pass or play