Game guide · GDXIANGSHUN
Hearts: rules and examples
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. 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.
Take a closer look while playing
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
What you need to achieve
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.
How a round unfolds
- 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.
How your actions work
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
Try this example
Check the rule below as you play. A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A useful caution
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
If you are unsure
When I start, what is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, 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. The instructions above use these same rules.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, 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. No download or player account is required.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, does Q♠ break hearts?
Not at this table. A heart must have been played before hearts can lead, unless the leader holds only hearts. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, what is shooting the moon?
Collect all thirteen hearts and Q♠ in the same hand; each opponent receives 26 points while you receive zero. No download or player account is required.
On this page, 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.