Hearts Card Game

Note – Adda52 does not host any hearts card games in any format.

Introduction

Hearts is a trick-taking game played with four players. It is a blend of skill, strategy, and psychology—much like a poker game. The objective is to avoid high-penalty cards, and the number of players varies depending on the variation.

If you want to master the Hearts, this guide will take you from basic to advanced strategies.

• Type of game: Evasion trick-taking.
• Number of cards: Standard 52-card deck (no jokers).
• Number of players: Usually 4; variants exist for 2-6 players.

What Is Hearts Card Game?

The hearts card game is a trick-taking card game that aims to avoid any winning trick containing hearts, especially the queen of spades. The game is primarily for four players, but most heart game variations can accommodate three to seven players.

Primarily found in the USA in the 1880s, popular game variations include Black Maria and Black Lady. A standard 52-card deck is utilised, and each heart card is worth one penalty point (with the queen of spades worth 13 penalty points). The other cards in the deck will have no value.

What Is The Objective of Hearts Game?

The ideal objective is to be the player with the lowest score at the end of the game. 

Hence, the game will conclude when a player hits the agreed-upon maximum score or even higher. The player with the lowest score among the rest will win.

History

The origin of Hearts is still a mystery. The game has a rich lineage and traces back to 17th-century Europe. The modern variation is said to have been invented in the 1850s. The rules of this variation were straightforward and later evolved over the century.

Some theories believe that the game originated from an older game called Reversing, later renamed Reversis.

There's another theory by the French philologist Jean-Baptiste Bullet; according to him, the game originated during the reign of Francis I. Francis I, who ruled from 1515 to 1547. Another theory says that the game originated in Spain. Here, people used to play with a 48-card deck and counter in a clockwise direction.

Lastly, the majority believe that the game originated in Italy. The type-trick-taking game originated in Itay, including Tressette games such as Rovescino.

What Is The Set-Up To Follow?

Usually, the free online hearts card game is played by four players, each receiving 13 cards. However, two diamonds will be removed, and there will be three players, and each player will get 17 cards. Similarly, two club & diamond cards will be eliminated in a five-player game, and each player will play with ten cards. 

Alternatively, if six players are playing, then two and three diamond cards and three and four club cards will be removed, and each player will play with eight cards. Lastly, if seven players play, two and three of the diamond cards and three of the clubs will be eliminated, and each player will play with seven cards.

What Is The Scoring System?

Since Hearts is a trick-taking card game, the ultimate goal should be to win the minimum number of tricks or not win any tricks that contain the queen of spades or hearts. 

At the end of every round, the player will add the overall number of hearts they've won in that specific round (including the queen of spades) and then add the same to the total score. Always remember – the objective is to have the lowest possible score. 

Generally, every player will score penalty points for the tricks that they win. For example, each HeartHeart is worth 1 point, while the queen of spades is worth 13 points. When a player reaches the maximum number of points (usually 100), the game will end, and the player with the lowest score wins.

How To Deal & Pass In-Game?

In the Hearts card game, deal and play are done clockwise. All the available cards are dealt at a single moment, so every player will have 13 cards (assuming the total number of players is four). 

When playing the first hand, each player passes any three face-down cards to the player playing on the immediate left. Before passing, players should select the cards to be passed and keep them face down so that the receiving player can obtain them quickly. Once done, the three given cards should be added to each player's hands.

Eventually, in the second round, everyone passes three cards to the player playing on the immediate right. Then, on the third hand, they will again pass three cards (face down) to the player playing on the opposite. And then, on the other hand, no cards will be passed. Such a cycle will continue repeating till the end of the game.

Tricks

A Trick is a round where each player plays one card. While playing, you must follow the suit of the first card if possible. The highest card in the led suit wins the trick, and the winner starts the next one. The goal is to avoid tricks with hearts or the queen of spades, as they give penalty points.

Breaking Hearts

You cannot play the heart card until the heart is broken. One player must play heart to break the heart because they have no cards in the ongoing suit. You can freely play hearts once it's broken.

The End of a Hand

 The hands end once you have played all 13 cards. You start counting your penalty points. The hearts are 1 point, and the Queen of Spades is 13 points. The game continues until someone reaches 100 points, and the player with the lowest score wins.

Hearts Card Game Rules & Regulations

Earliest Rules

• The game used to be played with four players, but you can accommodate 3 to 6 based on the variation. 
• You use a standard 52 English pattern card, ranking from ace (high) to 2(low). 
• The dealer shuffles the deck and starts distributing cards from the players sitting to their left until everyone has 13 cards each. There are no trumps.
• The person sitting immediately left to the dealer starts the game, and everyone follows suit. The highest card in the suit wins the trick.
• For scoring, the player with the lowest hearts wins. For example, if Player A has one heart, Player B has 2, Player C has 4, and Player D has 6, then Player A wins.

Modern rules

• The game is played with a standard 52-card deck with 3 to 6 people, but four is considered the best.
• If there are three players, the 2♣ is removed. Similarly, if there are five players, the two ♣ and two ♦ are removed, and for a six-player game, the 3♣, 2♣, 2♦ and 2♠ are removed.
• The dealer shuffles the deck and starts distributing cards from the players sitting to their left. Once the cards are dealt, the person sitting immediately left to the dealer begins the game, and everyone follows suit. The highest card in the suit wins the trick.
• The player with the lowest score wins.

How To Play The Hearts Card Game?

• You need a standard deck of cards and four players to start the game. Modification allows 3 to 6 players, but the game is best with 4 players.
• The order is not determined based on the position. Hence, who deals doesn’t matter; just shuffle the deck and start dealing. Each player will receive 13 cards. The cards will be kept face down and distributed clockwise.
• Before the game begins, you must pass three cards you don't want to the next player in a clockwise direction.
• The player with two of the clubs will start the game. The card should be placed in the middle, and the opponents will try to follow suit. 
• If you can't match the current suit, you can play any card except a heart or queen of spades during the first trick. 
• The player with the highest card will win the trick and start the next one. It's impossible to lead using hearts until a heart or queen of spades has been discarded. 
• The game will continue until a player reaches the maximum scoring limit – 50 or 100 – depending on what is decided beforehand. The player with the lowest score will win the game.

Variations of Hearts

There are various versions of free hearts card games that you can play, such as:

Dragon Hearts

This variation adds a twist to the game by replacing three cards with a joker while maintaining the standard deck. The variant uses three jokers (Red, Black, and extra). The red joker is the highest-ranking red card, and the black joker is the highest-ranking black card. The extra joker is always the lowest card in the trick.

Hearts for Two

As the name suggests, this variation is for two players and uses a dummy hand(an extra set of cards played by both players). Both players get 16 cards, and four cards are placed face-down as the blind. The players take turns playing for themselves and controlling the dummy’s moves.

Four Queens

In this variation, only the Queen of Spades carries the penalty. The Queen of Spades carries 13 points, and the other three queens are worth 6 points each. This makes the game riskier since multiple penalties can hurt your score.

Omnibus Hearts

This variation includes a bonus card, the 10 of diamonds, which rewards you. If you win a trick containing 10 of diamonds, you get 10 bonus points. This can offset penalty points and help you with scores.

Black Maria

This variation is more like a punishing take on the heart card game. The Queen of Spades carries 26 penalty points; some versions also assign additional penalty points to other high-ranking spades. You should be extra cautious with Queen of Spades and avoid collecting it, considering the penalty amount.

Joker Hearts

This variation includes a joker who is assigned a special role. Based on the role, a joker may force you to lead the next trick or act as a penalty card. The Joker introduces an element of unpredictability as the Joker does not follow standard suit rules.

Auction Hearts

This variation adds a bidding phase at the beginning of the game. You bid on certain penalties and decide which one to take. For example, you can buy the queen of spades by accepting 13 penalties. However, you are no longer affected by receiving the queen of spades. This adds a layer of strategy as you must carefully decide which penalties to take and which to avoid.

Hearts Card Game Strategies

Here are some strategies to win the Hearts card game:

Strategic Passing

If you eliminate high cards such as King or Ace of Spades, you can save yourself from the Queen of Spades and its penalties. You can even pass cards of specific suits to gain flexibility while playing tricks. Keep track of who will likely have the Queen of Spades and manipulate them into taking it.

Reading Your Opponents

Your ability to read opponents, track what cards have been played and anticipate your opponent's move will keep you ahead. Is someone holding spades? Or is someone aiming for a ‘Shoot the Moon’ (taking all hearts of the queens for a 0-point round)? Understand all these and adjust your strategies accordingly.

Card Counting and Trick Control

In Hearts, you track every played card. You must note every card being played, the high-value Spades, and whether or not the Hearts have been broken. This will help you control the game flow.

Hearts Card Game vs. Poker Game

When comparing poker and heart card games, the significant difference is the gameplay both games follow. Hearts cards are straightforward trick-taking games in which the lowest possible score wins. However, only the player with the most valuable hand wins in poker games.

Furthermore, the game of poker hands & poker rules relies on multiple factors to provide players with the ultimate sense of enjoyment and competitiveness. Factors such as bluffing and reading opponents' behaviour take the excitement to a new level. Playing heart card games rarely requires skill, but poker requires skills and strategies to win.

Besides, you'll also have the chance to meet people from the fantastic poker community worldwide - online or offline - because it's the most played card game globally (even more than the Teen Patti game). Hence, poker should be your ideal game choice, even if you compare it with other money-earner games like Call Break or  3 Patti. So, don't hesitate to learn how to play poker today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum number of points that can be earned in a heart card game?

Most free heart games can go up to 100 points, but some can reach a maximum of 50.

What is the maximum playing time per hand in a heart card game?

In the hearts game, the maximum playing time per hand is five minutes. 

How do you play the card game Hearts?

Players get 13 cards each and pass three cards to the player sitting on the left of them. The player with two of the clubs starts the game, and everyone follows suit. The player with the lowest score wins the game.

Is Hearts easy to play?

Yes, Hearts is easy to play.

What is the card game Hearts called?

The game is also called Hearts of America.

Can two people play Hearts?

Yes, two people can play the game by removing 3's, 5's, 7's, 9's, Jacks, and Kings.

Conclusion

Hearts seems like a simple game at first, but the game lies in the decisions you make. Knowing which card to pass, when to take the trick, and when to play defensively helps you win the game. But before learn the basics, understand the tricks and penalties levied by each card and practice.

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