How to Play Hearts

Rules and tips for Hearts, for first-time players.

How to play Hearts

1
Four players are dealt 13 cards each. The lowest score wins.
2
First, choose 3 cards to pass. The direction rotates: left, right, across, then no passing.
3
The player with the 2♣ leads. Everyone must follow suit if they can; only if you have none of that suit can you play another card.
4
The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the winner leads next. Aces are high, 2s are low.
5
Each heart you take is 1 point, and the queen of spades is 13 points.
6
You can't lead hearts until a heart has been played (unless you only have hearts). On the first trick, you can't play hearts or the queen of spades (unless that's all you have).
7
Take all 13 hearts and the queen of spades to shoot the moon: you score 0 and everyone else gets 26.
8
The game ends when someone reaches 100 points.

Tips to win

The A, K and Q of spades can leave you stuck with the queen of spades. If you're short on spades, pass them.
When following suit, play the highest card that's still lower than the current winner to avoid taking the trick.
Voiding a suit early lets you discard hearts or the queen of spades when that suit is led.
Shooting the moon is a big swing, but missing even one heart can leave you with a lot of points.

Play Hearts →

FAQ

Is Hearts free to play?

Yes, and there's no sign-up. Play right in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer.

Who am I playing against?

Three computer opponents that try to avoid taking points.

Can I continue later?

Yes. Your game is saved on your device, so just open the page again.

What is shooting the moon?

Taking all 13 hearts and the queen of spades yourself. You score 0 and every other player gets 26 points.

More games

SolitaireClassic Klondike. Every deal is checked to be winnable.SudokuSeven levels, Easy to Evil. Every puzzle has exactly one solution.Mahjong SolitaireClear the board by matching pairs of tiles.Spider SolitaireBuild runs from King to Ace. Every deal is verified winnable.CheckersThe classic jump-and-capture board game. Five computer levels, or play a friend on the same device.FreeCellFour free cells, pure strategy. Classic game numbers, every deal verified winnable.Reversi (Othello)The classic disc-flipping board game. Five computer levels, or play a friend on the same device.GomokuGet five in a row before your opponent. A 15×15 board, five computer levels, or play a friend on the same device.MancalaSow stones and fill your store. The popular six-pit, four-stone rules, five computer levels, or play a friend on the same device.Four in a RowDrop discs and line up four before your opponent. A 7×6 board, five computer levels, or play a friend on the same device.Five DiceRoll five dice up to three times, make combinations and fill 15 boxes. Go for a high score solo, or play the computer or a friend.Tic-Tac-ToeGet three in a row before your opponent on a 3×3 grid. Five computer levels, or play a friend on the same device.Mahjong ConnectJoin matching mahjong tiles with a line of up to two turns. Three board sizes up to the classic 8×17. Every deal can be cleared.DaifugoThe Japanese climbing card game: be first to empty your hand. 8-stop, revolution and the card exchange, 5 rounds against 3 computer players.Gin RummyDraw, discard and meld your hand into sets and runs. Knock with 10 or less deadwood or go gin. One-on-one against the computer, first to 100 wins.Word SearchFind the hidden words across, down and diagonally. Ten themes, three sizes from 8×8 to 15×15, a new puzzle every time, and printable.SevensBuild each suit out from the 7s and be first to empty your hand. Up to 3 passes per round, 5 rounds against 3 computer players.Tower of HanoiMove the whole stack of disks to the right rod, one disk at a time, never placing a larger disk on a smaller one. 3 to 8 disks, aim for the minimum moves.Sliding PuzzleSlide the tiles into the empty space to put the numbers in order. 3×3, 4×4 (the classic 15 puzzle) and 5×5. A new, solvable puzzle every time.Yukon SolitaireA Klondike-style solitaire with no stock pile. Any face-up card moves together with the cards on top of it. Every deal can be won.Scorpion SolitaireBuild down in suit and complete four columns from King to Ace. Any face-up card moves together with the cards on top of it.SpadesThe classic partnership card game where spades are trump. Team up with a computer partner.BackgammonRoll the dice and race your 15 checkers home. Five computer levels, or play a friend on the same device.2048Slide and merge matching tiles to reach 2048. Boards from 3×3 to 6×6, with undo.MazeDrag from start to exit. 8×13 to 30×53, a new maze every time, and printable.NonogramFill the grid from row and column number clues. 5×5 to 20×20, every puzzle solvable by logic alone.Matching GameTurn over two cards and match the pictures. Animals, food and vehicles, 8 to 24 pairs.ConcentrationThe classic memory card game: turn over two cards and match pairs. Four levels, 8 to 24 pairs.TriPeaks SolitaireChain cards one higher or lower to clear three peaks of cards.Golf SolitairePlay cards one higher or lower to clear all seven columns. Every deal is winnable.Pyramid SolitairePair cards that add up to 13 to clear the pyramid. Every deal is winnable.MinesweeperOpen every safe cell using the numbers. Every board can be solved by logic alone.Killer SudokuNo given numbers. Solve it from the cage sums alone.