How to Play Hearts
Hearts is a four-player trick-taking game in which each player competes individually. Unlike most trick-taking games, the goal is usually to avoid winning certain cards: every heart is worth one penalty point, and the Queen of Spades is worth 13.
This guide explains the standard modern four-player game. Players pass three cards before most hands, the holder of the 2 of Clubs makes the opening lead, hearts cannot normally be led until they have been broken, and the player with the lowest score wins.
Ready to play? Browse Hearts Playing Cards, or compare practical deck options in our Best Playing Cards for Game Night Guide.
Quick Navigation
- Hearts at a Glance
- The Hearts Deck
- Setup and Deal
- Passing Cards
- How to Play Hearts
- The First Trick
- Trick-Taking Rules
- Breaking Hearts
- The Queen of Spades
- Hearts Scoring
- Shooting the Moon
- Basic Hearts Strategy
- Common Variations
- Choosing Cards for Hearts
- Hearts FAQ
Hearts at a Glance
| Players | 4 players competing individually |
|---|---|
| Deck | Standard 52-card deck without Jokers |
| Cards per player | 13 |
| Trump suit | None |
| Opening lead | 2 of Clubs |
| Penalty cards | Each heart and the Queen of Spades |
| Points available per hand | 26 |
| Common game limit | 100 points |
| Winner | Player with the lowest score |
Hearts is not a partnership game. Every player keeps an individual score and tries to finish the game with fewer penalty points than the other three players.
During each hand, players try to avoid capturing:
- The 13 hearts, worth 1 point each
- The Queen of Spades, worth 13 points
There are therefore 26 penalty points available in every hand.
What Cards Are Used for Hearts?
Hearts uses one standard 52-card deck without Jokers.
Cards rank from highest to lowest:
Ace → King → Queen → Jack → 10 → 9 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2
There is no trump suit. A card from one suit cannot beat a card from another suit merely because it has a higher rank.
Do You Need a Special Hearts Deck?
No. Any complete standard deck can be used.
A dedicated Hearts deck may make scoring easier by highlighting the point values of the hearts and Queen of Spades. It may also include printed instructions for new players.
Hearts Setup and Deal
- Seat four players around the table.
- Choose the first dealer.
- Shuffle and cut the 52-card deck.
- Deal clockwise, one card at a time.
- Deal the entire deck.
- Each player receives 13 cards.
- Players organize their cards by suit.
The deal passes clockwise after each hand.
Before trick play begins, players normally pass three cards according to the repeating passing cycle.
How Passing Works in Hearts
After examining the cards, each player selects three cards and passes them face down in the required direction.
The standard four-hand passing cycle is:
| Hand | Passing Direction |
|---|---|
| First hand | Pass three cards to the player on the left |
| Second hand | Pass three cards to the player on the right |
| Third hand | Pass three cards to the player across the table |
| Fourth hand | Hold—no cards are passed |
The cycle then repeats: left, right, across, hold.
Passing Procedure
- Select three cards from your original hand.
- Place those cards face down.
- Do not change your selection after releasing the cards.
- Wait until every player has selected three cards.
- Pass the cards in the required direction.
- Pick up and examine the three cards received.
Players should select their outgoing cards before examining any incoming cards.
Why Do Players Pass Cards?
Passing allows players to reshape their hands before trick play begins.
Common reasons to pass a card include:
- Getting rid of the Queen of Spades
- Removing the Ace or King of Spades when the Queen is still dangerous
- Creating a void in one suit
- Discarding high cards that may win unwanted tricks
- Preparing to shoot the moon
The best cards to pass depend on the complete hand and the direction of the pass.
How to Play Hearts: Step by Step
- Deal 13 cards to each player.
- Pass three cards. Follow the left, right, across, hold cycle.
- Find the 2 of Clubs. Its holder leads the first trick.
- Follow suit when possible.
- Avoid penalty cards. Hearts and the Queen of Spades add points.
- Break hearts. Hearts become available to lead after one is discarded on another suit.
- Play all 13 tricks.
- Count penalty cards.
- Apply shooting-the-moon scoring if necessary.
- Add each player’s hand score to the running total.
- Continue until a player reaches or exceeds 100 points.
- The player with the lowest score wins.
The First Trick
The player holding the 2 of Clubs must lead it to the first trick.
Play proceeds clockwise, and every other player must follow clubs when able.
No Penalty Cards on the First Trick
A player who has no clubs may discard another suit, but may not play:
- A heart, or
- The Queen of Spades
The player must discard a non-penalty card when one is available.
In the extremely unusual situation where a player has no clubs and holds only penalty cards, that player must play a card from the available hand.
Who Wins the First Trick?
The highest club played wins the first trick.
Because there is no trump suit, a card from another suit cannot win the trick.
The winner of the first trick leads the second trick.
How Trick-Taking Works in Hearts
Each hand contains 13 tricks. Every player contributes one card to each trick.
Following Suit
The player who leads may play any legal card.
Each other player must follow the suit led when able.
For example, if diamonds are led:
- A player holding at least one diamond must play a diamond.
- A player holding no diamonds may discard any legal card from another suit.
- After the first trick, that discarded card may be a heart or the Queen of Spades.
Winning a Trick
The highest card of the suit led wins the trick.
Cards from other suits cannot win.
For example, clubs are led:
- West plays the 10 of Clubs.
- North plays the Ace of Clubs.
- East has no clubs and discards the Queen of Spades.
- South plays the King of Clubs.
North wins the trick with the Ace of Clubs and receives the Queen of Spades along with the other cards.
Who Leads the Next Trick?
The winner of each trick collects the four cards face down and leads the next trick.
Captured tricks should remain separate from the player’s hand.
Do You Have to Play a Higher Card?
No. A player must follow suit when able but may play any card of that suit.
If spades are led and you hold several spades, you do not have to beat the card currently winning the trick.
What Does Breaking Hearts Mean?
Hearts are broken when a player who cannot follow the suit led discards a heart onto that trick.
Before hearts are broken, a player may not lead a heart unless every card remaining in that player’s hand is a heart.
Example of Breaking Hearts
Diamonds are led. One player has no diamonds and discards the 4 of Hearts.
Hearts are now broken and may be led on a later trick.
Does the Queen of Spades Break Hearts?
Not in the rules used in this guide. Only playing a heart breaks hearts.
Some groups treat the Queen of Spades as breaking hearts. That house rule is covered in the variations section.
Can You Lead Hearts if They Have Not Been Broken?
Normally no.
A player whose hand contains only hearts may lead a heart even if none has previously been played.
Can Hearts Be Broken on the First Trick?
Normally no. Hearts cannot be discarded on the first trick when the player has another legal non-penalty card.
How the Queen of Spades Works
The Queen of Spades is worth 13 penalty points—the same as all 13 hearts combined.
A player who captures the Queen of Spades places it with the other cards won in that trick and scores 13 points at the end of the hand.
Must the Queen Be Played at the First Opportunity?
No. A player holding the Queen of Spades is not required to discard it at the first legal opportunity.
The player may keep it for a later trick if desired.
Can the Queen of Spades Be Led?
Yes. After the first trick, the Queen of Spades may be led like any other spade.
Hearts do not need to be broken before a spade can be led.
Can the Queen Be Played on the First Trick?
No, unless the player has no clubs and no legal non-penalty card available.
Why Are the Ace and King of Spades Dangerous?
If the Queen of Spades has not been played, the Ace and King of Spades may win the trick that contains it.
Players often try to:
- Pass the Ace or King of Spades
- Play them after the Queen is gone
- Lead low spades to force the Queen from another player
- Create a spade void so the Queen can be discarded safely
How to Score Hearts
At the end of the hand, each player examines the tricks captured and counts the penalty cards.
| Card | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Each heart | 1 point |
| Queen of Spades | 13 points |
A normal hand contains 26 total points:
- 13 points from the hearts
- 13 points from the Queen of Spades
Scoring Example
At the end of a hand:
- Player A captured four hearts: 4 points
- Player B captured six hearts and the Queen of Spades: 19 points
- Player C captured three hearts: 3 points
- Player D captured no penalty cards: 0 points
The hand totals 26 points.
When Does the Game End?
The game ends after a completed hand in which at least one player reaches or exceeds 100 points.
The player with the lowest cumulative score wins.
Reaching 100 does not automatically make that player the only loser. All four scores are compared after the hand is finished.
What if the Low Score Is Tied?
If two or more players are tied for the lowest score after the game-ending hand, continue playing additional hands until there is a single lowest score.
What Does Shooting the Moon Mean?
A player shoots the moon by capturing all 14 penalty cards during one hand:
- All 13 hearts
- The Queen of Spades
Capturing only the 13 hearts is not enough if another player captures the Queen of Spades.
Standard Moon Scoring
When a player successfully shoots the moon:
- The shooter scores 0 points for the hand.
- Each of the other three players receives 26 points.
Shooting-the-Moon Example
Player A captures every heart and the Queen of Spades.
| Player | Hand Score |
|---|---|
| Player A | 0 |
| Player B | 26 |
| Player C | 26 |
| Player D | 26 |
Does the Shooter Need to Win Every Trick?
No. The player needs all 26 penalty points, not necessarily all 13 tricks.
A player may lose tricks containing no hearts and no Queen of Spades and still shoot the moon.
Can Players Stop Someone from Shooting the Moon?
Yes. Once another player captures even one heart or the Queen of Spades, no one else can shoot the moon during that hand.
If a player appears to be collecting every penalty card, the other players may need to cooperate temporarily to prevent the moon shot.
Example of a Complete Hearts Hand
- Each player receives 13 cards.
- The passing direction is left, so every player passes three cards left.
- The player holding the 2 of Clubs leads it.
- All players follow clubs if able.
- No heart or Queen of Spades is played on the first trick.
- The highest club wins and leads the second trick.
- Later, diamonds are led and a player with no diamonds discards a heart.
- Hearts are now broken.
- Players continue until all 13 tricks have been completed.
- Each player counts hearts and the Queen of Spades in the captured tricks.
- The hand scores are added to the running totals.
Common Hearts Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Penalty card | A heart or the Queen of Spades |
| Breaking hearts | Discarding the first heart on a trick led in another suit |
| Shooting the moon | Capturing all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades |
| Void | Holding no cards in a particular suit |
| Pass left | Give three cards to the player on your left |
| Pass right | Give three cards to the player on your right |
| Pass across | Give three cards to the player opposite you |
| Hold hand | A hand in which no cards are passed |
| Painting a trick | Discarding a penalty card onto a trick |
| Running a suit | Leading the same suit repeatedly to force cards from opponents |
Basic Hearts Strategy for Beginners
- Avoid unnecessary high cards. High cards are more likely to win unwanted tricks.
- Watch the Queen of Spades. The Ace and King of Spades remain dangerous until the Queen appears.
- Try to become void in a suit. Once void, you may discard penalty cards when that suit is led.
- Count the spades. Knowing whether the Queen, Ace, and King remain can prevent a 13-point mistake.
- Remember the passing direction. Cards passed left, right, or across provide different information about where dangerous cards may be.
- Keep some low cards. Low cards can help you avoid winning later tricks.
- Do not lead high cards without a reason. You may give another player an easy opportunity to discard points.
- Watch for a moon attempt. A player repeatedly winning hearts may be trying to take every penalty card.
- Give someone else one point if necessary. Capturing even one heart prevents another player from shooting the moon.
- Consider the score. Strategy changes when the game is close to 100 points.
Common Cards to Consider Passing
- Queen of Spades
- Ace of Spades
- King of Spades
- High hearts
- Unsupported high cards in short suits
These are general guidelines rather than automatic choices. A strong moon-shooting hand may benefit from keeping high cards and the Queen of Spades.
Common Hearts Variations and House Rules
Queen of Spades Breaks Hearts
Some groups allow hearts to be led after either a heart or the Queen of Spades has been discarded.
Under the rules used in the main guide, only a heart breaks hearts.
Subtract 26 for Shooting the Moon
Instead of adding 26 points to each opponent, some groups allow the shooter to subtract 26 points from the shooter’s cumulative score.
Other groups allow the shooter to choose between:
- Subtracting 26 from the shooter’s score, or
- Adding 26 to every opponent
Moon Scoring That Avoids Ending the Game
Some groups require the shooter to use whichever scoring choice does not immediately give another player the win.
Jack of Diamonds Bonus
In Omnibus Hearts, the player who captures the Jack of Diamonds subtracts 10 points from the hand score.
Shooting the Sun
Shooting the sun means winning all 13 tricks, not merely all the penalty cards.
Some groups award a 52-point result, applied by subtracting points from the shooter or adding them to the opponents.
Points Allowed on the First Trick
Some older and regional versions allow a heart or the Queen of Spades to be discarded on the first trick when a player has no clubs.
Hearts May Be Led at Any Time
Older versions of the game sometimes allow hearts to be led before they are broken.
Fifty-Point Game
A shorter game may end when a player reaches or exceeds 50 points instead of 100.
Three-Player Hearts
A common three-player version removes the 2 of Diamonds and deals 17 cards to each player.
The passing cycle is commonly left, right, and hold because there is no player directly across the table.
Five-Player Hearts
Five-player games require removing cards or using a kitty so that the deck can be distributed evenly. Passing and opening-lead rules should be agreed upon before play.
Partnership Hearts
Some groups play in two partnerships, with partners seated opposite one another. Scores may be combined by team, but this differs from standard individual Hearts.
Spot Hearts
In Spot Hearts, heart cards carry larger penalties based on their ranks, and the Queen of Spades may also have an increased value. Because the hand contains more penalty points, the game uses a higher ending score.
Choosing the Best Cards for Hearts
Hearts can be played with any standard deck, but a game-specific deck may make learning, scoring, and regular play easier.
Dedicated Hearts Deck
The Bicycle Hearts Playing Cards Deck highlights the scoring cards and Queen of Spades, making it a useful option for beginners and regular Hearts players.
Multiple Decks for Clubs and Groups
The Bicycle Hearts Half Brick includes six Hearts decks for clubs, community centers, family gatherings, and multi-table events.
Multi-Game Family Set
The Bicycle Games Made Fun 4-Pack includes Hearts together with Spades, Euchre, and Solitaire.
Standard vs. Jumbo Index
- Standard index: traditional-sized corner markings
- Jumbo index: larger markings for easier reading across the table
Paper vs. Plastic
- Paper playing cards: familiar handling and economical replacement cost
- Plastic playing cards: washable and durable for frequent play
Single Deck vs. Bulk Packs
- Single deck: sufficient for home games
- Multi-deck pack: useful for clubs, events, frequent hosts, and multiple tables
Browse the full Hearts Playing Cards Collection, compare index styles in our Jumbo Index vs. Standard Index Playing Cards Guide, or explore our Bulk Playing Cards Hub.
More How to Play Card Games
Explore more complete rules guides for classic card games:
- How to Play Pinochle – Learn the deck, auction, melds, trump, trick-taking, and scoring.
- How to Play Euchre – Learn the bowers, choosing trump, stick the dealer, loners, tricks, and scoring.
- How to Play Canasta – Learn melds, canastas, wild cards, the discard pile, going out, and scoring.
- How to Play Bridge – Learn the deal, auction, contracts, declarer and dummy, trick-taking, and scoring.
- How to Play Spades – Learn bidding, Nil, breaking spades, tricks, overtricks, and scoring.
- How to Play Hearts – Learn passing, the opening lead, breaking hearts, the Queen of Spades, and shooting the moon.
Browse all of our educational resources in the Playing Card Guides hub.
Hearts Frequently Asked Questions
How many people play Hearts?
The standard game uses four players competing individually rather than in partnerships.
How many cards does each Hearts player receive?
Each player receives 13 cards from a standard 52-card deck.
Do you use Jokers in Hearts?
No. Standard Hearts uses a 52-card deck without Jokers.
What is the object of Hearts?
The goal is to finish with the lowest score by avoiding hearts and the Queen of Spades.
How are cards passed in Hearts?
Players pass three cards left on the first hand, right on the second, across on the third, and hold their cards on the fourth. The cycle then repeats.
Who leads the first trick?
The player holding the 2 of Clubs must lead it to the first trick.
Can you play a heart on the first trick?
Normally no. A player who cannot follow clubs must discard a non-penalty card when one is available.
Can you play the Queen of Spades on the first trick?
Normally no. The Queen of Spades is prohibited on the first trick when the player has another legal card available.
Do you have to follow suit in Hearts?
Yes. A player holding a card in the suit led must follow that suit. A player who is void may discard another suit.
What does breaking hearts mean?
Hearts are broken when a player discards a heart after being unable to follow the suit led. Hearts may then be led on later tricks.
Does the Queen of Spades break hearts?
Not in the rules used in this guide. Some groups use a variation in which the Queen also breaks hearts.
How much is each heart worth?
Each heart is worth one penalty point.
How much is the Queen of Spades worth?
The Queen of Spades is worth 13 penalty points.
What does shooting the moon mean?
Shooting the moon means capturing all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades during one hand.
How is shooting the moon scored?
The shooter scores zero for the hand, and each of the other three players receives 26 points.
How many points end a Hearts game?
The game ends after a hand in which at least one player reaches or exceeds 100 points. The player with the lowest score wins.
Can you play Hearts with a regular deck?
Yes. Any complete standard 52-card deck without Jokers can be used.
Shop Hearts Playing Cards
Whether you are learning at home, replacing cards for a regular game, or supplying several tables, ClassicDecks offers dedicated Hearts decks, multi-deck packs, and everyday playing cards suitable for Hearts.
Shop Hearts Playing Cards or read our Best Playing Cards for Game Night Guide.