How to play Hearts
A card game for four, with you and three computer players. Take as few points as you can.
The rules, step by step
- Everyone is dealt 13 cards. The player with the lowest score at the end wins, so you want to avoid taking points.
- First, pass three cards to a neighbour. Tap three cards, then press the button to pass them. Good cards to pass are the queen of spades and high hearts.
- The player with the 2 of clubs starts. Each player puts down one card in turn, and you must play the same suit as the first card if you have one.
- The highest card of the suit that was led takes the trick. That player collects the cards and leads the next one.
- Every heart you collect costs 1 point. The queen of spades costs 13 points. Everything else is free.
- Hearts cannot be led until a heart has been played. Cards you cannot play are shown dimmed, with a note saying why.
- If one player takes all the hearts and the queen of spades, that is called shooting the moon. They score nothing and everyone else gets 26.
- When someone reaches the target score the game ends, and the lowest score wins.
An example
Say the first card in a trick is the 5 of clubs. If you have a club, you must play one. The 9 of clubs would beat the 5.
If you have no clubs, you may play anything. This is the moment to get rid of the queen of spades, which gives its 13 points to whoever wins the trick.
Tips
- Choose Easy while you learn. Normal plays more carefully.
- Press Hint if you are not sure which card to play.
- Try to play low cards early, and keep an eye out for the queen of spades.
- Getting rid of your high cards early is safer than holding on to them.
- There is no timer. Take as long as you like.