Passing and the first trick
Each hand starts with three cards passed left, right, across, or not at all on the fourth hand. Whoever holds the two of clubs leads it, and no penalty cards may be played on that first trick.
Hearts online, free, against three opponents
Hearts is a trick-avoidance game for four, and the whole point is to take as few penalty cards as possible. Every heart costs a point and the Queen of Spades costs thirteen.
Play HeartsFollowing suit and breaking hearts
You must follow the suit led if you can. Hearts cannot be led until a heart has been discarded on an earlier trick, which is what players mean by hearts being broken.
Shooting the moon
Take every heart and the Queen of Spades in one hand and the twenty-six points go to everyone else instead of you. Attempt it only when your hand is genuinely dominant.
Tips that actually help
- Pass your high spades if you cannot protect the Queen.
- Void yourself in a suit early so you can discard penalties later.
- Count the spades above the Queen; that count decides when she is safe to flush out.
- Watch for another player taking every trick — block a moon attempt before it completes.
Common questions
- How does Hearts scoring work?
- Each heart is one point, the Queen of Spades is thirteen, and the game ends when someone reaches 100 — the lowest score wins.
- When can I lead a heart?
- Once hearts have been broken, meaning a heart has already been discarded on a trick of another suit.
- Do I need an account?
- No. The game and your local stats work without signing up.