h E a r t s h E a r t s players and cards clockwise rotation, the other players play players and cards clockwise rotation, the other players play HEARTS IS COMMONLY a four-person game, a card of the same suit. If a player is void HEARTS IS COMMONLY a four-person game, a card of the same suit. If a player is void with no formal partnerships among play- of the suit led, a card of any suit may be with no formal partnerships among play- of the suit led, a card of any suit may be ers. The following rules apply to a four- played. (Two exceptions: Hearts and the ers. The following rules apply to a four- played. (Two exceptions: Hearts and the person game. queen of spades may not be discarded on person game. queen of spades may not be discarded on ThE GAME CALLS FOR a standard 52-card the first trick.) The person who played the ThE GAME CALLS FOR a standard 52-card the first trick.) The person who played the deck. The cards in each suit rank from ace highest card in the suit led wins the trick, deck. The cards in each suit rank from ace highest card in the suit led wins the trick, (high) to two (low). There is no trump suit. sweeps the cards facedown to her side of (high) to two (low). There is no trump suit. sweeps the cards facedown to her side of EACH HEART IS WORTH one penalty point the table, and leads the next trick. EACH HEART IS WORTH one penalty point the table, and leads the next trick. and the queen of spades is worth 13 penalty PLAYING THE FIRST HEART of the game—this and the queen of spades is worth 13 penalty PLAYING THE FIRST HEART of the game—this points. The other cards have no value. happens when a player has no cards in the points. The other cards have no value. happens when a player has no cards in the suit led—is called “breaking hearts.” (In a suit led—is called “breaking hearts.” (In a object of the game variation, the queen of spades also breaks object of the game variation, the queen of spades also breaks ThE GOAL IS to score as few points as possi- hearts.) Until hearts have been broken, a ThE GOAL IS to score as few points as possi- hearts.) Until hearts have been broken, a ble or, alternatively, to score all the points. player may not lead with a heart, unless her ble or, alternatively, to score all the points. player may not lead with a heart, unless her The game concludes when one player’s hand contains nothing but hearts. The game concludes when one player’s hand contains nothing but hearts. score reaches 100; the player with the low- score reaches 100; the player with the low- ThE PLAYERS CONTINUE until all the cards ThE PLAYERS CONTINUE until all the cards est score wins. est score wins. have been played. At that point, each play- have been played. At that point, each play- the deal er’s score is recorded, and the next dealer the deal er’s score is recorded, and the next dealer shuffles the deck and deals the next hand. shuffles the deck and deals the next hand. ONE PLAYER deals the entire deck clock- ONE PLAYER deals the entire deck clock- wise, one card at a time, facedown. (On scoring wise, one card at a time, facedown. (On scoring subsequent hands, the person seated to the subsequent hands, the person seated to the AT THE END OF A HAND, players’ scores are AT THE END OF A HAND, players’ scores are dealer’s left deals, and so on in clockwise dealer’s left deals, and so on in clockwise recorded on a single score sheet, with a recorded on a single score sheet, with a rotation.) Everyone should have 13 cards. rotation.) Everyone should have 13 cards. separate column for each player. (The ta- separate column for each player. (The ta- the pass ble’s combined score for each hand should the pass ble’s combined score for each hand should always equal 26.) always equal 26.) AFTER THE FIRST DEAL, each player looks at AFTER THE FIRST DEAL, each player looks at her hand and passes three cards facedown A PLAYER’S SCORE depends on the number her hand and passes three cards facedown A PLAYER’S SCORE depends on the number to the player seated to the left. Players of penalty cards in the tricks that she has to the player seated to the left. Players of penalty cards in the tricks that she has must pass their cards before looking at the won. Each heart scores one point, and the must pass their cards before looking at the won. Each heart scores one point, and the newly received ones. On the second hand, queen of spades scores 13 points. However, newly received ones. On the second hand, queen of spades scores 13 points. However, each player passes to the right. On the third if a player manages to take all the penalty each player passes to the right. On the third if a player manages to take all the penalty hand, each player passes to the player seat- cards (known as “shooting the moon”), no hand, each player passes to the player seat- cards (known as “shooting the moon”), no ed opposite. On the fourth hand, according points are added to her score; instead, 26 ed opposite. On the fourth hand, according points are added to her score; instead, 26 to a popular variation, no cards are passed points are added to all the other players’ to a popular variation, no cards are passed points are added to all the other players’ at all (the “hold” hand). The cycle then re- scores. (If one player’s score is 74 or high- at all (the “hold” hand). The cycle then re- scores. (If one player’s score is 74 or high- peats until the end of the game. er, the person who has shot the moon may peats until the end of the game. er, the person who has shot the moon may instead opt to lower his or her own score instead opt to lower his or her own score the play of the hand by 26 points.) the play of the hand by 26 points.) ThE PLAYER WHO holds the 2 of clubs after WhEN ONE PLAYER reaches 100 points, the ThE PLAYER WHO holds the 2 of clubs after WhEN ONE PLAYER reaches 100 points, the the pass leads this card to start the play of game is over and the person with the low- the pass leads this card to start the play of game is over and the person with the low- the hand. (All cards are played faceup.) In est score wins. the hand. (All cards are played faceup.) In est score wins. enjoy! enjoy!.