Game guide · 5AICAKE
A practical guide to Hearts
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The game area remains available above the explanation. Four players each receive thirteen cards. Pass three cards left, right, across, then hold on successive hands.
Four-player free Hearts against three local computers, to 100 points. This table breaks hearts only with a heart, not with Q♠. No cash play or internet matchmaking.
One thing to notice as you play
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. On the first trick, do not discard a heart or Q♠ unless no non-penalty card is available. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Your objective
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Work through the instructions
- Four players each receive thirteen cards. Pass three cards left, right, across, then hold on successive hands.
- The player holding 2♣ leads the first trick. Follow suit whenever possible.
- On the first trick, do not discard a heart or Q♠ unless no non-penalty card is available.
- Hearts may lead only after a heart has been played, unless your whole hand consists of hearts.
- The highest card of the led suit wins the trick. Each heart adds one penalty point and Q♠ adds thirteen.
- Taking all 26 penalty points in one hand shoots the moon: your score gains zero and each opponent gains 26.
- After all thirteen tricks, choose Next hand. The match ends once anyone reaches 100; the lowest total wins.
Choosing and moving on screen
Read the position before choosing your next action. Select three cards and press Pass selected cards during passing. During play, tap a legal card. Next hand continues the match; New match resets totals. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
A closer look at one example
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Avoid this misunderstanding
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Having a high card in another suit does not win a trick. Only the highest rank in the suit that was led can win it.
If you are unsure
On this page, what is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. The controls work with mouse or touch.
How do the controls work?
Select three cards and press Pass selected cards during passing. During play, tap a legal card. Next hand continues the match; New match resets totals. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, can you show an example?
A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, which mistake should I avoid?
Having a high card in another suit does not win a trick. Only the highest rank in the suit that was led can win it. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, what rules and limits are used here?
Four-player free Hearts against three local computers, to 100 points. This table breaks hearts only with a heart, not with Q♠. No cash play or internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, does Q♠ break hearts?
Not at this table. A heart must have been played before hearts can lead, unless the leader holds only hearts. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, what is shooting the moon?
Collect all thirteen hearts and Q♠ in the same hand; each opponent receives 26 points while you receive zero. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, how does the match end?
After a completed hand takes anyone to at least 100 total points. The lowest score wins; equal lowest scores share the result. A new round resets the current game.