In Hearts, every heart is bad news and the queen of spades is worth thirteen. Take as few points as possible—unless you dare to take them all.
Four players each receive 13 cards from a standard deck. Every heart is worth 1 point and the queen of spades is worth 13. All other cards are worth zero.
The goal is to have the lowest total when someone reaches 100 points. Ace is high and there is no trump suit.
Before play, each player chooses three cards and passes them face down. Pass left in the first hand, right in the second, across in the third, and keep your hand in the fourth; then repeat.
The player holding the 2 of clubs leads the first trick.
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Each heart | 1 |
| Queen of spades | 13 |
| All other cards | 0 |
A player who takes all 26 points shoots the moon: they score 0 and every opponent scores 26. When anyone reaches 100 after a hand, the lowest total wins.
Count the high spades, preserve low cards, and notice which players are void in each suit.
Do not automatically win harmless tricks: later players may be waiting to add hearts or the queen of spades.
The video explains the rules in English. Check your table's house rules before you begin.
Common alternatives let the queen of spades break hearts, subtract 26 from a successful moon shooter, add the jack of diamonds as −10 points, or end at 50 points.
Nothing up your sleeve—just legal moves that make everyone wonder when you got so sharp.
The ace or king of spades becomes risky when you hold only a few spades.
Passing all cards in one short suit can give you an early chance to discard points.
A player who fails to follow suit can dump points whenever that suit returns.
Small cards help you avoid winning a trick that suddenly fills with points.
Take one heart if a single player appears to be collecting every point card.
No. Hearts score points but do not beat cards in the led suit.
Not unless your hand contains only point cards after being unable to follow clubs.
No. You may play any card in the led suit, even when a higher card is available.
Rules reviewed on 24 September 2026. House rules vary; this page describes one clear standard version.
Gather four players and see who can keep the queen of spades out of their tricks.