Simplified Rules of the Hearts Card Game: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Hearts is such a fun and challenging trick-and-capturing game that works well with four players. Through this tutorial, we’ll outline the simplified rules of the Hearts playing card game and simplify it, making it perfect for novices to master, play with comfort, and most importantly, enjoy.

What You Need to Play Hearts

 

Before diving into the simplified rules of the Hearts card game, make sure you have:

 

Number of players:

4 (best with exactly four players)

Deck of cards:

Standard 52-card deck (no jokers)

Score-keeping:

Pen and paper to keep track of points after each round

Table:

Where everyone has a place to sit comfortably

Game’s Objective

In most other card games, you play to win tricks and accumulate high cards, but in Hearts, you play to gain no points.

The two categories of cards that award points are:

 

Hearts:

All Hearts are worth 1 point.

Queen of Spades:

It is worth 13 points.

When the game ends, the player with the fewest points wins.

Easy Rule

Get away from Hearts and the Queen of Spades.

Just try to “dump” them on someone else instead.

Preparing the Game

Step 1: Shuffle and Deal

Shuffle the cards well.

Give all 52 cards out equally — everyone has 13 cards.

Players are to arrange the cards in their hand by suit (Clubs, Diamonds, Spades, Hearts) so it will be easier to play.

Step 2: Card Passing

Each round before, players give each other three cards from the cards in their hand.

The passing order changes each round like this:

 

First round:

Pass to the player on your left.

Second round:

Pass to the player on your right.

Third round:

Pass to the player across (opposite you).

Fourth round:

No passing (keep your cards).

Then the pattern repeats from the left again.

Important Tips for Passing:

Pass dangerous cards like the Queen of Spades or high Hearts.

Attempt to die in suits where you have one or two cards.

Gameplay: How a Round Goes

Step 1: Beginning the First Trick

The person who holds the 2 of Clubs must start the very first card of the round — by playing that card on the table.

Trick:

A collection of four cards played, one by each player in turn, subject to certain rules.

Order of Play:

Play goes clockwise (to the left).

Everyone, when they get a turn, has to “follow suit” if possible.

Step 2: Following Suit

To follow suit, if someone goes first with a Club, you have to go next with a Club if you have one.

If you do not have a Club, you can go with any card you choose (like Hearts or the Queen of Spades — but with some exceptions at the start).

You must always follow suit when you can — you cannot lie or pretend you don’t have a Club if you do.

Step 3: Winning a Trick

The best card of the led suit takes the trick.

Suits are only ordered by number: the Ace is best, followed by King, Queen, Jack, 10, and so on down to 2.

Example:

If the first card is 2♣ (two of Clubs), and another player later plays King♣ and one more plays 5♣, then King♣ wins since it is the highest Club played.

The winner of the trick takes the four cards and places them face down in front of themselves.

Step 4: Leading the Next Trick

The leader of the previous trick gets to lead the next trick.

They can play any card they desire, but there are regulations regarding leading Hearts initially.

Special Regulations Regarding Hearts

Breaking Hearts

Hearts cannot be led until they have been “broken.”

“Breaking Hearts” is when someone has played a Heart on a trick where they couldn’t follow suit.

In other words:

Initially in the game, you can’t simply lead with a Heart card.

You have to wait until another has had to follow a Heart since they had no alternative.

Following the breaking of Hearts:

Other players can play a Heart to lead a trick.

Exception:

If you hold only Hearts in your hand, you can play them even prior to their being broken.

End of Round Scoring

As soon as the 13 tricks have been completed, players examine the cards taken.

Each Heart card picked up = 1 point.

Queen of Spades = 13 points.

Other cards (Clubs, Diamonds, Spades excluding Queen) = 0 points

Players count their points and add them to their running score.

Finishing the Game and Winning

The game goes on until a player has 100 or more points.

At which time:

The player with the lowest overall score wins the game.

If two players get the same low score, declare both winners or have a tiebreaker round

Special Move:

Shooting the Moon

“Shooting the Moon” is a seldom used but effective move.

What it is:

A player intentionally wins all 13 Hearts and the Queen of Spades in a single round.

Successful outcome:

Instead of adding up 26 points to their total, the player can either:

Subtract 26 points from their total, or

Add 26 points to every opponent’s score.

Examples to Explain Rules

Example 1: First Trick

1.Player A plays 2♣.

2.Player B plays 5♣.

3.Player C plays King♣.

4.Player D plays 7♣.

5.Player C takes the trick (highest Club: King♣).

Basic Tips for Beginners

Always play the Queen of Spades if you can!

Attempt to become void in a suit early (get rid of all cards of one suit).

Play low cards early in the game.

Observe your opponents closely — what suits are they short of?

lDon’t take tricks unless you’re certain there are no penalty cards.

Conclusion

The simplified rules of the Hearts card game make it incredibly accessible for new players while still offering deep strategy for seasoned ones. By focusing on avoiding point cards, watching your opponents, and mastering card passing, you’ll gradually improve and enjoy every session.

Practice a few rounds with friends or online, and you’ll soon feel confident enough to play—and win—at game night!

FAQs about Hearts Rules

1. What happens if a player accidentally leads with Hearts before they are broken?

It’s usually considered an illegal move. They must take back the Heart and play another card if possible. If they have only Hearts left, then it’s allowed.

2. Is it possible to play the Queen of Spades on the first trick?

No, you may only play the Queen of Spades if you have no Clubs to play after the first trick (led by 2♣).

3. Do we need to pass cards at the beginning of each round?

Yes, passing cards is required in the first three rounds. Only the fourth round omits passing.

4. How can I score points simply?

Use a simple chart with each player’s name and total their points at the end of each round.

5. Suppose two players get 100 points simultaneously?

The player with the lowest score among all the players wins. In case two players are tied, you can settle for a playoff round.

6. Is there a restriction on how many Hearts can be led once they have been broken?

No limit — having been broken, Hearts may be played normally as any other suit.

7. May I pass low Hearts during the passing phase?

Yes, but it’s generally wiser to pass high Hearts or other risky cards instead.

Top Resources for Learning Hearts

1. Bicycle Cards – How to Play Hearts
   A straightforward guide covering the game’s objective, setup, gameplay, and scoring. Ideal for beginners seeking a concise overview.
   Read the guide​

2. Trickster Cards – Hearts Rules and Strategies
   Offers detailed instructions on gameplay mechanics, including passing cards, leading tricks, and strategic tips to enhance your play.
   Explore the rules​

3. Dummies.com – Playing Hearts: The Basic Rules
   Provides an easy-to-understand breakdown of the game’s rules, making it accessible for those new to card games.
   Learn the basics​

4. CardGames.io – How to Play Hearts
   Features an interactive platform where you can practice playing Hearts online, along with a comprehensive rule explanation.
    Play and learn