Hearts is a classic trick-avoidance card game for 4 players. Collect as few hearts — and avoid the Queen of Spades — to win with the lowest score.
Hearts uses all 52 cards. Each player receives 13 cards. There is no trump suit. The highest card of the led suit wins each trick.
Before play begins, each player selects 3 cards to pass to another player. The pass direction rotates each round:
Pass your high hearts, the Queen of Spades, or low cards in suits where you want to void yourself.
The player holding the 2 of clubs leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if able. If you can't follow suit, play any card.
Hearts may not be led until they have been "broken" (a heart has been discarded on a previous trick). Exception: if you have only hearts, you may lead them.
You may not lead with the Queen of Spades on the first trick, and no penalty cards (hearts, Queen of Spades) may be played on the first trick unless you have no other choice.
Hearts is scored individually — there are no teams.
If you collect all hearts and the Queen of Spades in a single round, you "shoot the moon." Instead of scoring 26, every other player adds 26 to their total. This is a bold, high-risk strategy.
Failing to shoot the moon (missing even one heart or the Queen) means you take all the points you collected normally.
When any player reaches 100 points, the game ends. The player with the lowest score wins.