Hearts Card Game

Hearts Card Game is a classic trick-taking card game where four players compete to avoid penalty cards and finish with the lowest score. You can play Hearts online for free with no download, no signup, and instant gameplay. Hearts is fun, strategic, competitive, and perfect for players of all ages.

How to Play Hearts ?

In Hearts Solitaire Each player receives 13 cards. Before each round begins, players pass three cards in a rotating pattern: left, right, across, then no pass, repeating every four rounds. The player with the 2 of Clubs starts the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible. Hearts cannot be led until they are “broken,” meaning a Heart card has been played because a player could not follow suit. The highest card of the lead suit wins the trick.

Objective of Hearts

The goal of Hearts Solitaire is the same as in a multiplayer game of Hearts: to avoid getting penalty cards! Even in your serious game of dealing yourself, you will be playing out your hand as an individual version of a game but still with focus on the tricks you gather together to avoid the points you collected. The Queen of Spades (13 Points), hearts (1 point each) are the cards you're trying to avoid.

You want to finish the deal with the lowest score possible!

Hearts Rules

Understanding how to play Hearts starts with knowing the official rules. Fortunately, Hearts rules are simple, clear, and easy to follow.

Passing Cards

Before most rounds, players must pass three cards. The passing order follows a repeating four-round rotation:

• 1st round: Pass to the left
• 2nd round: Pass across
• 3rd round: Pass to the right
• 4th round: No passing (keep your cards)

Following Suit

You must follow suit whenever possible. If you do not have a card in the lead suit, you may play a card from another suit (called "sloughing").

Winning a Trick

The highest card of the suit that was led wins the trick. For example, if Spades are led and players play the 5, 2, 8, and King of Spades, the King wins the trick. Cards from other suits cannot win the trick.

First Trick Restrictions

The first trick must always begin with the Two of Clubs. During this opening trick, no player is allowed to play any Hearts or the Queen of Spades. Players must follow suit with a Club if possible; otherwise they may play another suit, but still not a Heart or the Queen.

Breaking Hearts

Hearts cannot be played until they have been “broken.” This happens when a player cannot follow suit and decides to play a Heart. After Hearts are broken, they may be played normally. The Queen of Spades may be played at any time except during the first trick, but Hearts cannot be led until they are officially broken.

Strategies to Win Hearts

Winning in Hearts requires more than just knowing the rules — you need smart strategy, good timing, and careful planning. Always think before passing cards and decide whether you want to take control of the game or avoid tricks.

Passing Strategy

• Keep high Clubs or Diamonds if you want control, but be cautious.
• It is usually safer to pass the Ace of Spades to reduce the risk of taking the Queen of Spades.
• The Ace of Hearts can sometimes help if you also hold smaller Hearts.

Smart Opening Play

A useful Hearts tip is to pass or get rid of the Two of Clubs. Since no penalty cards can be played in the first trick, it’s one of your safest opportunities to lose a risky card.

Plan Ahead

• Decide early if you want to control the lead or stay low.
• Try to void a suit so you can safely discard dangerous cards later.
• Keep track of the Queen of Spades and avoid being trapped with it.

Card Counting & Awareness

Use smart Hearts strategies like counting cards and remembering which high cards have already been played. This helps you predict upcoming tricks and avoid penalty points. Keep some low Hearts so you can safely discard them once Hearts are broken.

Watch for Shooting the Moon

Always pay attention to players who may be trying to Shoot the Moon. If someone starts taking control of too many penalty cards, stop them quickly. Taking a few penalty points is much better than allowing everyone else to gain 26.

Hearts Solitaire Setup

• Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
• Dealing: All cards are dealt to you. Some variations will have them in piles like a tableau; but most will allow you to access them directly from your hand.
• Starting card: In general, just like in Hearts, play often starts with the 2 of Clubs.

However, the layout and starting rules may differ slightly depending on the variation or app being played.

Hearts Solitaire Scoring

Scoring is the same as in traditional Hearts:

• Each Heart = 1 point
• Queen of Spades = 13 points
• The other cards = 0 poins

The objective is for you to end up with the lowest point total. Some versions allow you to "Shoot the Moon", taking all penalty cards in a dramatic turn of events to subtract points from your score instead of adding them!

There Are many different kinds of Hearts solitaire

• Classic Hearts Solitaire: The one closest to multiplayer hearts, you play alone and against automated opponents.
• Open Hand: Cards are played open, with priority toward plan and sequence.
• Timed Hearts Solitaire: There is a timer, so the object is to play quickly.

All these different types of Hearts solitaire still capture the essence of how to not get penalized cards, while providing different rates of play and difficulty.

Advice and Strategies for Winning

• Keep track of suits: Being aware of what suits have been played will help you when trying to avoid high risk tricks.
• Hold onto your high cards: Don’t lead with high cards or you risk getting stuck with penalty cards.
• Get rid of risky cards: That means you should get rid of hearts and the Queen of Spades when it is being safe to do so.
• Take advantage and try to Shoot the Moon: If your hand is strong enough to take all penalty cards, that may flip the game in your favor.

These strategies will help make the game of Hearts Solitaire more about strategy than it is about luck.

Conclusion

Hearts Solitaire is a mix of the tricks strategy of trick-taking and the accessibility of playing as a single player alone. The rules are simple: avoid taking a heart (or the Queen of Spades); score lowest as possible, and think about the pieces you play. Whether you're playing a free online version, a mobile app, or even a good old-fashioned deck of cards, it's a satisfying challenge for fans of card strategy games.

More Card Games Like Hearts

If you enjoy Hearts, here are more strategy card games you’ll love:

• Free Online Solitaire

  Play Classic Solitaire online — easy to learn, smooth to play, and loved by millions worldwide.

• Free Spider Solitaire

  Play Spider Solitaire online — a challenging multi-deck solitaire game that tests focus, patience, and strategy.

• Free Hearts Card Game

  Play Hearts online — a trick-taking card game where strategy and timing are the keys to winning.

• Free Spades Card Game

  Play Spades online — a competitive trick-taking game that rewards smart bidding and teamwork.

• Mahjong Solitaire

  Play Mahjong online for free — relaxing yet challenging tile-matching puzzle gameplay that keeps your brain active.

• Freecell Card Game

  Play FreeCell Solitaire online — a strategy-focused card game with a high win rate and smart planning gameplay.

• Klondike Solitaire

  Enjoy Klondike Solitaire — the most popular classic solitaire card game with simple rules and addictive gameplay.

• Pyramid

  Play Pyramid Solitaire online — clear the board by matching cards that total 13 in this fun puzzle game.

• Anubis Pyramid

  Play Anubis Solitaire — an exciting pyramid-style solitaire puzzle with unique Egyptian-themed gameplay.