Game guide · XINVENTURES
Know the goal in Hearts
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. Four players each receive thirteen cards. Pass three cards left, right, across, then hold on successive hands. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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.
Practice beyond the first move
Read the position before choosing your next action. On the first trick, do not discard a heart or Q♠ unless no non-penalty card is available. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
The goal to keep in mind
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
The steps to play
- 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.
Using the playing area
Check the rule below as you play. 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
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. A trick containing 2♥, 8♥, Q♠ and 5♣ carries fifteen penalty points: two hearts plus the queen of spades.
Where a round can go wrong
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Further help with the game
What is the aim of Hearts?
Finish with the lowest penalty total by avoiding hearts and the queen of spades. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, 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 controls work with mouse or touch.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
When I start, 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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, how many people can play here?
You vs 3 computers. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, how does passing work?
Select three cards. The direction cycles left, right, across and no pass, repeating each four hands. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
