Rules
Hearts – avoid penalty points · Rules
Four players receive thirteen cards each. Most deals begin by passing three chosen cards; every fourth deal has no pass.
Objective
Avoid penalty points: each heart is worth one, and the queen of spades is worth thirteen.
Deal and setup
Four players receive thirteen cards each. Most deals begin by passing three chosen cards; every fourth deal has no pass.
How to play — step by step
- Before most deals, choose three cards to pass; the direction rotates, while every fourth deal has no exchange.
- The first trick starts with the two of clubs. Follow the led suit when possible, otherwise discard another suit.
- The highest card of the led suit takes the trick; there is no trump. The winner leads the next trick.
- Each heart you capture is one penalty point, the queen of spades thirteen. Capturing all penalties shoots the moon.
Important rules to remember
Play example
If you win a trick containing two hearts and the queen of spades, you collect 15 penalty points (2 + 13).
Key terms
- trick
- One round of cards played
- meld
- Valid group or run of cards
- discard
- Put a card aside from your hand