The Hearts card game is a classic trick-taking game that’s easy to learn yet full of strategy. It’s popular among both casual players and competitive card lovers. In this guide, we’ll cover everything — from the basic hearts rules to special gameplay variations — so you can start playing like a pro.
How to Play Hearts Card Game Rules
Hearts is usually played with 4 players using a standard 52-card deck. The objective is to avoid collecting penalty cards — each heart is worth 1 point, and the Queen of Spades (Q♠) is worth 13 points. The game continues until a player reaches 100 points, and the lowest score wins.
Basic setup:
- Deal all 52 cards (13 to each player).
- Pass 3 cards before the first trick (passing order changes every round).
- Player with 2♣ leads the first trick.
What Are the Rules for the Card Game Hearts?
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the official rules:
- First Trick
- Must start with 2♣.
- No penalty cards (hearts or Q♠) can be played in the first trick.
- Following Suit
- Players must follow the suit led if they can.
- If they can’t, they may play any card (except hearts until they are “broken”).
- Breaking Hearts
- Hearts can’t be led until a heart has been played in an earlier trick.
- Winning Tricks
- Highest card in the suit led wins the trick.
- Winner of a trick leads the next one.
What Are the Rules of the Card Game Hearts – Scoring System
- Hearts → 1 point each
- Queen of Spades (Q♠) → 13 points
- All other cards → 0 points
- Shooting the Moon: If a player gets all 26 points in a round, they can either subtract 26 from their own score or add 26 to each opponent’s score.
Hearts Rules 4 Players
The traditional version of Hearts is for 4 players:
- All cards are dealt equally (13 each).
- Passing pattern: Left → Right → Across → No pass (repeat).
- Best for balanced gameplay and strategy.
Hearts Rules 5 Players
While 4 players is standard, Hearts can be adapted for 5 players:
- Remove the 2♣ and 2♦ to make the deck even.
- Deal 10 cards to each player.
- Gameplay remains the same, but with slightly altered passing patterns to accommodate 5 players.
Heart Card Game Rule PDF
For players who prefer a printable reference, you can create or download a Heart card game rule PDF.
A PDF version is handy for:
- Teaching beginners at game night.
- Playing in groups without constant rule-checking.
- Including scoring sheets for easy tracking.
Tips for Winning at Hearts
- Pass high hearts and the Queen of Spades early.
- Try to void a suit quickly to discard penalty cards.
- Keep track of which high cards have already been played.
- Consider “Shooting the Moon” if you can control most tricks.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the hearts rules for both 4-player and 5-player versions, you can confidently start playing. Whether you’re learning with friends, playing in a tournament, or teaching beginners, mastering the Hearts card game rules will help you win more often.
FAQs – Hearts Card Game Rules
1. How do you play the Hearts card game for beginners?
In Hearts, each player tries to avoid taking penalty cards (hearts and the Queen of Spades). The game is played over several rounds, and the player with the lowest score at the end wins.
2. What is the penalty for the Queen of Spades in Hearts?
The Queen of Spades carries the highest penalty — 13 points. Avoid taking this card unless you’re attempting to “shoot the moon.”
3. Can Hearts be played with 5 players?
Yes, in the hearts rules for 5 players, you remove two low clubs/diamonds to balance the deck and deal 10 cards to each player.
4. What does “breaking hearts” mean in Hearts?
Breaking hearts means that a heart card has been played in a trick, allowing players to lead with hearts in future tricks.
5. How many points is a game of Hearts played to?
The game usually ends when a player reaches 100 points, but some groups set higher or lower point limits.
6. Is there a PDF version of Hearts card game rules?
Yes, many printable heart card game rule PDFs are available online, or you can make one with the rules in this article.
7. What is “shooting the moon” in Hearts?
It’s when a player collects all 26 penalty points in a single round. Instead of adding points to their score, they can subtract 26 from their total or add 26 to opponents’ scores.