Hearts is the thinking player’s classic: a trick-taking game where taking tricks is exactly what you don’t want. Every heart costs a point, the Queen of Spades costs thirteen, and the lowest score when someone crosses 100 wins.
You face three computer opponents with distinct personalities — a cautious ducker, a card counter, and a moon-shot gambler.
How to Play Hearts by Yourself
- Each player gets 13 cards; pass three cards to a neighbor before play begins.
- The Two of Clubs leads the first trick.
- Follow suit if you can; the highest card of the led suit takes the trick.
- Every heart taken scores 1 point; the Queen of Spades scores 13.
- Hearts can’t lead until they’ve been “broken” by being discarded on another suit.
- Lowest total score when any player reaches 100 wins the game.
Rules of Hearts
- Standard 52-card deck, four players, no trumps.
- Passing rotates each hand: left, right, across, then no pass.
- You may not play a point card on the very first trick.
- A player void in the led suit may discard anything — including the Queen.
- “Shooting the moon” (taking all hearts and the Queen) gives 26 points to every opponent instead.
Winning Strategies for Hearts
- Get rid of high spades early unless you hold enough low spades to defend the Queen.
- Keep one very low card in each suit as an escape hatch.
- Count hearts as they fall; the last few tricks are where games are lost.
- Passing three mid-range hearts is usually better than passing your only low club.
- Watch for a moon shooter hoarding high cards — sometimes you must take a heart on purpose to stop them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Hearts with one player?
Yes — this version fills the table with three computer opponents, so you get a full four-player game of Hearts anytime, free in your browser.
What is the Queen of Spades worth?
Thirteen points — as much as every heart combined. Most Hearts strategy revolves around who ends up taking her.
What does “shooting the moon” mean?
Deliberately capturing all 13 hearts plus the Queen of Spades. Succeed and opponents get 26 points each; miss by one heart and disaster is yours alone.
When can hearts be led?
Only after hearts are “broken” — someone discarded a heart on a different suit — or when the leader has nothing but hearts left.
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