Hearts is a classic trick-taking card game that is easy to learn but surprisingly strategic. Unlike many card games where players try to win as many tricks as possible, in Hearts the goal is usually to avoid taking certain cards that score penalty points. The standard game is best with four players, but there are common adaptations for three, five, or six players as well. Once players understand the deck setup, passing, trick-taking rules, and scoring system, Hearts becomes a fast, social game with plenty of room for skill, timing, and a little mischief.

Equipment needed

• A standard 52-card deck
• 3 to 6 players is common, though 4 players is standard
• Paper and pencil, or a score sheet, for keeping score

The basics

Hearts is a trick-taking card game where the goal is usually to avoid points.

Card values for scoring

• Each heart is worth 1 point
• The Queen of Spades is worth 13 points
• Total points in a standard hand: 26

Object of the game

• Finish with the lowest score
• The game usually ends when one player reaches:
  • 50 points
  • 100 points most commonly
  • another agreed total

Rank of cards

The rank of cards tells you which card wins a trick when cards of the same suit are played.

From high to low:

• Ace
• King
• Queen
• Jack
• 10 down to 2

During play

Leading

• The player with the 2 of Clubs usually leads the first trick
• Players must follow suit if able
• If unable to follow suit, they may discard another card, subject to first-trick rules

First trick rules

Common standard rules:

• You must lead the 2 of Clubs to start
• Players may not play a heart or the Queen of Spades on the first trick unless they have no alternative legal play

Breaking hearts

• Hearts cannot be led until hearts have been “broken”
• Hearts are broken when:
  • a player discards a heart on another suit’s trick, or
  • in some variations, when a player has only hearts left
• After hearts are broken, hearts may be led

Winning a trick

• Highest card of the suit led wins the trick
• Winner of the trick leads the next one

Dealing cards by number of players

4 players

• Deal all 52 cards
• Each player gets 13 cards
• This is the standard version

3 players

Common method:

• Remove the 2 of Diamonds
• Deal 17 cards to each player

Other tables may remove a different single card, but one card is usually set aside so all players receive the same number.

5 players

Common method:

• Remove the 2 of Clubs and 2 of Diamonds
• Deal 10 cards to each player

Other groups may remove a different pair of low cards.

6 players

Common method:

• Remove the 2 of Clubs, 2 of Diamonds, 3 of Clubs, and 3 of Diamonds
• Deal 8 cards to each player

For nonstandard player counts, the key is to remove enough low cards so everyone gets the same number of cards.

Passing cards

In standard 4-player Hearts, before each hand, players pass 3 cards:

1. To the left
2. To the right
3. Across
4. Keep

Then the cycle repeats.

For other player counts, passing rules may be adjusted or omitted.

Scoring: during play

At the end of each hand:

• Count 1 point per heart
• Count 13 points for the Queen of Spades
• Add those points to each player’s running total

Example

If a player takes:

• 4 hearts
• Queen of Spades

Their score for the hand is:

• 4 + 13 = 17 points

Counting hands

A hand ends when all tricks have been played.

In a 4-player game

• 13 tricks are played
• Since there are 26 total points available, the total points scored by all players in the hand should add to 26

In adjusted games

• The total point value may still be 26 unless you change special cards or rules
• The number of tricks depends on how many cards each player was dealt

Special scoring rules

Shooting the Moon

If one player takes:

• all 13 hearts
• the Queen of Spades

then instead of scoring 26, that player may:

• subtract 26 from their own score, or
• add 26 to every other player’s score

You should decide before play which method you are using.

Shooting the Sun

A less common variation:

• If a player takes every trick in the hand, they receive a special bonus or all others receive penalty points
• Rules vary by group

Jack of Diamonds rule

In some versions:

• Taking the Jack of Diamonds subtracts 10 points This is optional and must be agreed in advance.

Team Hearts

Hearts is usually an individual game, but you can play in teams.

Basic team format

• Partners sit opposite each other
• Each player still plays their own hand
• At the end of each hand, partners combine scores
• Lowest team score wins

Team play considerations

• Partners usually may not communicate about cards
• Passing rules should be agreed beforehand
• Shooting the moon may:
  • benefit only the shooter
  • benefit the whole team
  • penalize the opposing team

Because Hearts is designed as an individual avoidance game, team play can feel less balanced unless house rules are clear.

Variations for more players

Omnibus Hearts

A popular variation:

• Adds the Jack of Diamonds as a bonus card worth minus 10
• Encourages more aggressive play

Black Maria

Often another name for Hearts or a close variant:

• Queen of Spades is heavily penalized
• Rules may differ slightly by region

Spot Hearts

• Hearts are worth face value:
  • 2 of Hearts = 2 points
  • 10 of Hearts = 10 points
  • Ace of Hearts = 14 points, or sometimes 1
• This makes scoring much harsher

Cancellation Hearts

Usually for larger groups:

• Two identical cards played to the same trick may cancel each other under house rules
• Best used only with clearly agreed rules

Double-deck Hearts

For more than 6 players:

• Use two standard decks
• Add house rules for identical cards and trick resolution
• Usually requires cancellation or ranking conventions

Quick start rules for standard 4-player hearts

1. Deal 13 cards to each player.
2. Each player passes 3 cards in the current pass direction.
3. Player with 2 of Clubs leads first.
4. Follow suit if possible.
5. Highest card of the led suit wins the trick.
6. Avoid hearts and the Queen of Spades.
7. Hearts cannot be led until broken.
8. Score 1 per heart and 13 for the Queen of Spades.
9. If someone shoots the moon, apply the agreed rule.
10. Continue until someone reaches the target score. Lowest score wins.

Simple score sheet example

Hand	Player A	Player B	Player C	Player D
1	4	0	17	5
2	2	8	1	15
3	0	13	6	7

Winning

• When a player reaches the agreed maximum score, finish the current hand if desired
• The player with the lowest total score wins

Hearts is a simple game to set up but a nuanced one to play well. The rules are straightforward: follow suit, avoid point cards, and keep your total score low. What makes the game interesting is the balance between safe play and bold tactics, especially when passing cards or attempting special plays like shooting the moon. Whether played casually with family or more competitively with experienced players, Hearts remains a lively and enduring card game that rewards attention, memory, and good timing.

©2026 S. Mottet bloomhearty.com writing, creation, and design