Objective and Rules of the Card Game Hearts
Objective and Rules of the Card Game Hearts
Objective
The objective of the card game Hearts is to have the lowest score possible at the end of the game. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and can be played with three to six players. Hearts is a trick-taking game, and each heart card taken during a trick scores one penalty point. The player with the fewest penalty points at the end of the game is the winner.
Setup
The dealer shuffles the deck and deals 13 cards to each player, one card at a time. The remaining cards are not used in the game. The player who has the 2 of clubs starts the first trick, and the play continues clockwise.
Rules
During each trick, players must follow suit if possible. The player who played the highest card of the suit led wins the trick and leads the next trick.
However, there are some specific rules when it comes to hearts:
- Hearts cannot be led until hearts have been broken: The first heart card played in a trick is called "breaking hearts." Until this point, players must play a card from another suit if they can. Once hearts have been broken, players can lead hearts in subsequent tricks.
- The Queen of Spades: This card carries a penalty of 13 points. Whoever takes the Queen of Spades scores these points.
- Shooting the Moon: If a player manages to take all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades in one hand, they "shoot the moon." In this case, the player's score becomes zero, and each opponent scores 26 penalty points.
Scoring
At the end of each hand, players tally their penalty points. The heart cards and the Queen of Spades each count as one penalty point, while shooting the moon gives a player zero points and their opponents 26 points each.
The game continues until one player reaches or exceeds a predetermined score limit, often 100 or 200 points. The player with the lowest score at that point is declared the winner.
Conclusion
Hearts is an exciting card game that requires strategy and careful planning. The objective of trying to avoid taking hearts and the Queen of Spades adds a unique twist to traditional trick-taking games. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, Hearts offers plenty of fun and challenges to keep you entertained for hours.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
Some links on this page may be affiliate links in which I may receive a commission for.
There is absolutely no additional charge to you.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.