Hearts History - From Reversis to Global Phenomenon
Origins: The Game of Reversis
The story of Hearts begins in Spain and France in the mid-1700s with a game called Reversis (also known as Reversis de Quatre). Unlike most card games of the era, which rewarded winning tricks, Reversis was a trick-avoidance game — the goal was to win as few tricks as possible. This inversion of the standard card game objective was revolutionary and spawned an entire family of reverse trick-taking games.
Historical Timeline
| Period | Development |
|---|---|
| 1750s | Reversis appears in Spain and France |
| Late 1700s | Game spreads across European aristocratic circles |