Hearts is one of the most popular card games around the world. It is a trick-taking game that requires a good strategy to win. If you are new to this game and want to learn how to play Hearts, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to play Hearts card game.
Objective of the Game
The objective of Hearts is to score the lowest points possible by avoiding taking certain cards in tricks. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and each player is dealt 13 cards.
The Deal
In Hearts, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals 13 cards to each player. The remaining cards are left on the table face down, and the top card is turned over to start the discard pile.
The Play
The person to the left of the dealer plays first. The player must choose a card from their hand that matches the suit of the card that was led. If a player does not have a card of the same suit, they can play any card. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick.
The Scoring
In Hearts, the scoring is based on the number of points taken in tricks. The cards with point values are the hearts and the queen of spades. Each heart is worth one point, and the queen of spades is worth 13 points. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game wins.
Strategy
Hearts is a game of strategy. The key to winning is to avoid taking any hearts or the queen of spades. One strategy is to lead with the smallest card of a suit. This will force the other players to play their high cards, giving you the opportunity to take tricks with low cards.
Passing Cards
In Hearts, before the start of each round, players must pass three cards to another player. The direction of passing alternates with each round. The passing rules are as follows:
- In the first round, pass three cards to the player on your left.
- In the second round, pass three cards to the player on your right.
- In the third round, pass three cards to the player across from you.
- In the fourth round, do not pass any cards.
Shooting the Moon
Shooting the moon is a strategy in Hearts where a player tries to take all the hearts and the queen of spades in one round. If successful, the player scores zero points, and all the other players score 26 points. However, if the player fails to take all the hearts and the queen of spades, they score 26 points, and all the other players score zero points.
Conclusion
Hearts is a fun and exciting card game that requires a good strategy to win. Now that you know how to play Hearts, grab a deck of cards and start playing with your friends and family. Remember, the key to winning is to avoid taking any hearts or the queen of spades. Good luck!