The objective of Hearts is to score fewer points than any other player by avoiding hearts and the Queen of Spades. Each player is dealt thirteen cards. After the deal, usually (depending on the passing option that is set) each player chooses three cards that they want to exchange with another player. This is called "passing". Unless otherwise selected in the options settings (see below), passing alternates each hand as follows: left, right, across, and hold. Every fourth hand is a "hold hand" which means that no passing takes place.
Play begins after the cards have been passed. Unless otherwise selected in the options settings (see below), the player who has the two of clubs leads.
Hearts is played in a series of thirteen tricks. The first card played to a trick determines the suit that must be followed by other players if able. Each player plays one card to the trick and the highest ranking card of the suit led wins the trick. The winner of a trick leads the next trick. Aces are high.
Hearts may not be led until they have been "broken" (played onto a previous trick because a player couldn't follow suit). Hearts may also be led by a player if they only have hearts left. Optionally, but not by default, the Queen of Spades can also break hearts (see options below).
Options
There are three variations of the passing rule:
- ALTERNATE PASSING - Passing alternates each hand as follows: left, right, across, and hold. Every fourth hand is a "hold hand" which means that no passing takes place. This is the default setting.
- PASS LEFT - The three cards are always passed to the opponent on the left.
- NO PASSING - No passing ever takes place.
There are two variations that determine who begins the play of the hand:
- TWO OF CLUBS LEADS - Whichever player has the two of clubs leads. This is the default setting.
- LEFT OF DEALER LEADS - The player on the left of the dealer leads with any card except for a heart.
By default te Queen of Spades doesn't break hearts. However you can change this option so the Queen of Spades is considered a heart for the purpose of breaking them.
Breaking hearts on the first trick can be allowed or disallowed.
You can also sort the suits of the cards and the value of the cards within each suit in ascending or descending order.
Scoring
Each heart taken in a trick counts one point against the player who takes it. The Queen of Spades counts thirteen points against the player who takes it. However, if a player takes ALL hearts AND the Queen of Spades in a given hand (a.k.a. "shooting the moon"), all other players score twenty-six points and the player who "shot the moon" scores zero. Hearts is played until any player has 100 points or more after a hand is completed at which time the player with the least number of points is the winner.
