Hearts

About

Hearts is a classic trick-taking card game that can be played with 3 to 6 players, although it is typically most enjoyable with 4 players. The game uses a standard 52-card deck, with the objective being to have the lowest score at the end of the game. Players must avoid taking tricks that contain hearts or the Queen of Spades, as these cards carry penalty points. Each heart is worth one point, and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points. The game starts with each player passing three cards to another player in a specific pattern, which changes each round. The player with the 2 of clubs leads the first trick, and play proceeds clockwise. Players must follow suit if possible, or play any card if they don't have the suit led. Hearts cannot be led until they are "broken," unless a player has no other choice. The game continues until all cards have been played, and points are tallied at the end of each hand. The game ends when a player reaches 100 points, and the player with the lowest score wins. Hearts is a game of strategy and memory, requiring players to track cards and adjust their tactics to avoid penalty points.