Hearts

Hearts is a free online card game you can play instantly in your browser against three computer opponents, no download, no account, and no other players to wait for. Each hand deals all 52 cards, then everyone passes 3 cards left, right, or across before the player holding the 2 of Clubs opens the first trick. Follow the suit that's led when you can, and try to avoid taking Hearts (1 point each) or the Queen of Spades (13 points) — unless you're going for the boldest play in the game, capturing every single penalty card to shoot the moon and stick everyone else with 26 points instead. Play through 15 levels that sharpen the AI's card sense with every table, from blunder-prone early opponents up to rivals who duck danger cards, void suits on purpose, and — from Level 10 on — go for the moon themselves when their hand is strong enough. Each level is a full classic match played to 100 points; finish with the lowest score to unlock the next table, and Try Again deals a fresh match at the same difficulty any time a rival edges you out.

How to play Hearts

1. Before most hands, choose 3 cards from your hand to pass — the direction (left, right, across, or hold) rotates every hand and is shown at the top.
2. Whoever holds the 2 of Clubs leads the first trick, and no Hearts or the Queen of Spades can be played on it unless that's all you have left.
3. Follow the suit that was led whenever you can; if you're void in that suit, you may play anything, including a Heart or the Queen of Spades.
4. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick and leads the next one — Hearts can't be led until one has been played on an earlier trick.
5. Each Heart you capture is worth 1 penalty point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 — capture every penalty card in one hand instead to shoot the moon, scoring 0 while everyone else takes 26.
6. A level is a full match to 100 points; finish with the lowest total to advance to the next level's sharper opponents.

Tips

• Early in a hand, unload your highest Spades and Hearts while you're void in another suit — a safe discard now is a card that can't sting you later.
• Hold onto a couple of low cards in every suit if you can; they're your best tool for ducking a trick you don't want to win.
• Passing? Get rid of the Queen of Spades and your highest Hearts first, especially if you don't have low cards in that suit to protect you.
• Watch how many cards of a suit have already appeared — an opponent who suddenly plays that suit out of nowhere late in a hand may be trying to shoot the moon.

FAQ