Hearts is one of the most popular trick-taking card games in the world, probably due to its relatively simple rules and quick action. It also didn’t hurt that a version of Hearts was included in many early Windows PCs, which meant millions of people were introduced to the game by playing against computer opponents in between games of Minesweeper.
In reality, Hearts dates all the way back to the 1880s, where versions of the game were being played in the United States, but even those games were based on early games in which the goal was to avoid taking tricks rather than to win them. Since then, numerous variations of the game have been developed, and the one many of us know from our desktop computers is probably more of a variant than the “true” game of Hearts.
Read on to learn more about this fascinating and fun game, including how you can play Hearts both online and in person with your friends!
Where’s the Best Place to Play Hearts?
When I talked about chess in my last column, I noted that the game had transformed from one where live, over-the-board play was considered king to something that has become more akin to an e-sport. That’s not the case for Hearts, where playing in person is still the best way to enjoy this classic game.
The reason I say this is the fact that Hearts is a very social game that really benefits from chatting with friends while you play. Since you’ll normally be playing with four players, there’s plenty of opportunity to talk during each hand and do a little playful taunting – or hardcore trash talk, if you prefer – every time one of your opponents takes a few points.
That makes Hearts a great game to play in your home with family and friends. And because there’s so little equipment required, it’s also a good option for game nights, at the bar, after dinner at another social event, or just about anywhere else.
Now all that said, there are plenty of great places to play Hearts online as well, and the game works really well in an electronic setting (as the Windows pack-in games proved decades ago). Many Hearts sites allow for multiplayer online games, meaning you can play with friends or strangers any time you like.
What Do I Need to Play Hearts at Home?
The greatest thing about hearts is the fact that it takes almost no equipment to play. All you need is one standard deck of cards. In fact, you don’t even need jokers! Just whip out your 52-card deck and you’re ready to go. Okay, it probably also helps to have paper and a pen or pencil to keep score – but that’s about it.
Where to Go to Play Hearts Live
Unlike for chess and some of the other games I’ll cover in this series, there’s not an International Hearts Federation or an American Association of Hearts. Some websites that offer Hearts have rankings, but nobody is looking to become a world champion of this game, which is really played for social fun or maybe a very small bet between friends.
That said, if you’re looking for resources that can help you find games beyond your own circle of loved ones, there are a few places to look. There are some Hearts groups on Meetup, many of which play other trick-taking card games as well. If you want to get more games of Hearts in and can’t find a group near you, your best bet might to find one yourself and bring fellow players to a bar, library, game store, or coffeeshop near you!
The Best Places to Play Hearts Online
There are tons of sites that offer Hearts alongside dozens of other card games you can choose from. The following are a few of the best sites that focus on card games and have good versions of Hearts that will allow you to play with your friends or just pick up a game whenever you like.
My first pick is Trickster Hearts, part of a larger site that focuses on a range of trick-taking card games. Trickster allows you to jump into a game anytime you want, or invite people via email to set up your own games. What I really like here is the wide range of options: most of the big scoring variants are covered, you can choose to play with anywhere from 3-6 players, and can set up individual or team games.
That’s far from the only option, however. I’m also a fan of playing Hearts at Cardgames.io, which has a cute cartoonish feel and also allows you to join public or private tables. If you’re looking for something a bit more competitive, consider World of Card Games, where you can get an Elo skill rating by playing games against other Hearts players.
How to Play Hearts
When it comes to Hearts, there are many, many rules variants that you might run into while playing. That’s what happens when there’s no central organizing body for a game like this: rules vary by play group and location, and while everyone plays almost the same way, there are a few minor variations in how each person plays Hearts. I’ll describe what I think is the most common ruleset, or at least the one I’ve played the most – and we’ll talk about some rule variants below.
A typical game of Hearts is played with four players each acting individually, and uses a full 52-card deck of playing cards. Before the first hand, all 52 cards are dealt out to the four players, giving each a hand of 13 cards. There may be some passing of cards at this point, but we’ll talk about that more in the variants section below.
The player holding the two of clubs must play that card first. After that, play moves clockwise, having to play a card of that same suit if they can, or any other card if they cannot. The player who plays the highest card of the same suit as the card that started the trick wins that trick, taking all four cards.
As you might expect given the game’s name, Hearts have a special role in this game. Nobody may play a heart on the first trick, and nobody can start a trick with a heart until someone plays one because they don’t have a card of the proper suit – an action known as “breaking hearts.”
In general, collecting hearts is a bad idea, as each one is worth one point. In the most common variant I’ve played, the queen of spades is the worst card to collect, being worth 13 points. In Hearts, we don’t want points! It’s not like in blackjack where you’re collecting points as close to 21 as possible without going over.
After everyone has played out their hands, players count up their points and add them to their total. Then, the deck is shuffled and dealt out again. Play continues until one player has 100 points, at which point the plyer with the fewest points is declared the winner.
Hearts Strategy
If you’re new to Hearts, here are a few strategy tips to help you beat your friends:
- When you’re playing last and are sure you’re going to play a trick, it’s usually best to play the biggest card you can in that situation. There’s no need to hold on to an ace or king that could hurt you later when dumping it costs you nothing.
- Try to get rid of all your diamonds and/or clubs as soon as possible. Once you’ve done so, you’re in position to get rid of hearts or other unwanted cards whenever those suits are played!
- If you are passing cards, try getting rid of the two of clubs. It’s always nice to have a chance to win the first (and safest) trick, after which you get to take control of the action.
- It’s often a good idea to pass the queen of spades, but only if you can do so to your right or across the table. Passing it to your left leaves you in a position where you’ll mostly have to play with that card behind you – meaning you can never be sure it’s completely safe to play the highest card and risk taking a trick.
- Don’t worry about keeping a few low hearts. If you pass them, you might end up with high ones instead – and no way to avoid taking four or more points on future tricks when hearts are played!
Common Hearts Rules Variations
Like I said, there are plenty of ways to play Hearts, though most only feature minor rules variations. Let’s go over a few of them.
First, I didn’t talk about passing cards in the general rules above, but that was mostly for the sake of simplicity. In most play groups, players get the opportunity to pass three cards to one of their opponents at the start of each hand. This usually rotates: for instance, you may have to pass right on the first hand, left on the second, across on the third, and hold your fourth hand without passing before the cycle restarts.
One funny thing about Hearts is that while the rule about the queen of spades being worth 13 points is almost ubiquitous now, it’s actually a variant! The pure game of Hearts doesn’t include this rule, and the variant most of us play is known as “Black Lady” after the dangerous queen.
Another common rule states that if you collect all 13 hearts and the queen of spades, you can either deduct 26 points from your total or add 26 points to each of your opponents’ scores. This is known as Shooting the Moon, and is a bold strategy that can turn a game around in one hand.
Finally, some people play with a Jack of Diamonds rule. In this case, winning the jack of diamonds will deduct 10 points from your score, making it a desirable card to have in your hand and win a trick with.
Note from eCheckcasinos.ca: Did You Know?
Microsoft Hearts was first introduced in Windows 3.1 back in 1992. It was a staple on PCs until Windows 7. While the game is based on the traditional card game of Hearts that Ed reviewed, the version most of us played on our computers actually follows the rules of a variant known as “Black Lady”. In this version, not only are hearts penalty cards, but the queen of spades also carries a hefty penalty of 13 points. Additionally, an online version called Internet Hearts was available in Windows Me and XP, allowing players to enjoy the game with others over the internet.
