Hearts Rules - Complete Guide
Quick Answer
What is Hearts? Hearts is a classic trick-taking card game for four players where the objective is to avoid taking point cards. Each heart is worth 1 point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points. The player with the lowest total score at the end of the game wins.
How long does a game take? A complete game typically lasts 15-45 minutes, depending on how quickly players reach the target score.
What is the difficulty level? Easy to learn the basic rules, but developing strong strategy takes significant practice. The game rewards careful card management and reading opponents.
How many players? Standard Hearts is designed for exactly 4 players. Some variations accommodate 3-6 players with adjustments.
What do you need to play? One standard 52-card deck. No jokers are used.
What is the main objective? Have the lowest score when any player reaches or exceeds 100 points. You achieve this by avoiding tricks that contain hearts or the Queen of Spades, or by "shooting the moon" (taking all 26 penalty points).