Whether you’re a seasoned Hearts player or a beginner looking for a new challenge, we’ve got seven exciting variations that will keep you entertained for hours. So grab a deck of cards and get ready to explore the many faces of Hearts!
Hearts Game
The timeless game of Hearts! It’s a captivating card game that has managed to wiggle its way into players’ hearts (pun intended) worldwide. Picture this: a spirited battle of wits, cunning strategies, and just a sprinkle of luck, all wrapped up in a deck of 52 cards. But what makes Hearts so popular, you ask? Let us take you on a whimsical journey and reveal the secrets behind its allure.
Hearts is a game of pure emotional roller coasters. It’s like a tango between your heart and your brain, where you strive to maintain the perfect balance. One moment, you’re filled with the exhilaration of winning every trick, and the next, you’re heartbroken as the Queen of Spades swoops in to shatter your dreams. It’s a game that keeps you on the edge of your seat, your emotions dancing like a flamenco dancer with too much caffeine. If you are ready to start playing the hearts game, then below, we have given a detailed guide about how to play the hearts game.
How to play the heart game?
The objective of Hearts is simple (or so it seems). Just Avoid collecting penalty cards, which are the hearts and the Queen of Spades. The player with the fewest penalty points at the end of the game emerges victorious. You’ll need a standard deck of 52 playing cards to play Hearts. Remove the Jokers, shuffle the deck thoroughly, and deal the cards clockwise, starting with the player to the dealer’s left. Each player receives 13 cards. Hearts is played in a series of rounds. During each round, players strive to win tricks (a trick being one card played by each player).
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how a round unfolds:
Passing Cards
Before the first trick, players must select three cards to pass to an opponent. The direction of the pass alternates with each round: to the left in the first round, to the right in the second, across in the third, and no passing in the fourth. This adds an extra layer of strategy and anticipation.
Leading the Trick
The player with the 2 of Clubs starts the first trick. On subsequent tricks, the player who won the previous trick leads by playing any card from their hand.
Playing Cards
Moving clockwise, each player must play a card of the same suit as the first card led, if possible. If a player doesn’t have a card of the same suit, they can play any card from their hand. However, players cannot lead with a heart or the Queen of Spades unless their hearts have been “broken” (more on that later).
Winning Tricks
After all, players have played a card, the player with the highest card of the leading suit wins the trick and collects the cards played. The winner of the trick then leads the next one.
Avoiding Penalty Cards
The true challenge of Hearts lies in avoiding penalty cards. Hearts cannot be led until a heart has been played in a previous trick or if a player has no other choice. If you win a trick containing hearts, you are awarded one penalty point per heart card collected. The dreaded Queen of Spades carries a hefty 13 penalty points on her regal shoulders.
Shooting the Moon
Ah, the daring move is known as “shooting the moon.” If a player manages to win all the penalty cards (all the hearts and the Queen of Spades) in a single round, they shoot the moon! Instead of collecting penalty points, they distribute 26 penalty points to all opponents. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can turn the tides of the game.
Repeating Tricks
The round continues until all 13 tricks have been played. Then, players tally their penalty points, and a new round begins.
Variations of Hearts Game
Chase the Lady
Chase the Lady – the thrilling and fast-paced variation of Hearts that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In this version, players must try to avoid winning tricks containing the queen of spades, also known as “the Lady,” while attempting to figure out which opponent is holding her. Playing Chase the Lady is like being a detective on a mission to uncover a mystery. You’ll need to pay close attention to the cards played and make calculated guesses about which opponent is hiding the queen of spades. But beware – one wrong move, and you could end up stuck with the Lady in your hand, racking up penalty points like there’s no tomorrow.
Spot Hearts
Spot Hearts is a fun and fast-paced variation of the classic game Hearts that will keep you on your toes. In this version, players must try to avoid winning tricks containing penalty cards, which are the cards with hearts on them, as well as the queen of spades. But there’s a twist – in Spot Hearts, players are also trying to collect “spots,” cards numbered 2 through 9 with a corresponding number of spots on them. The objective of Spot Hearts is to avoid collecting too many spots while still trying to avoid the penalty cards. It’s a delicate balancing act that requires strategic thinking and careful planning.
Dirty Hearts
Dirty Hearts is a variation of Hearts that will have you second-guess everything you thought you knew about the game. In this version, players must try to win tricks containing penalty cards while avoiding the queen of spades. But there’s a catch – players can also play penalty cards on their opponents, adding even more complexity to an already challenging game. Playing Dirty Hearts requires a keen eye and a quick mind. Players must pay attention to the cards they are dealt, keep a close eye on their opponent’s moves, and anticipate their next moves.
Dragon Hearts
Another variant of the beloved Hearts game is here to bewitch and enthrall you. Brace yourself for a thrilling adventure as we dive into the enchanting world of “Dragon Hearts.” In this captivating twist on the classic game, the standard 52-card deck takes on a new form, introducing the legendary black joker, the fiery red joker, and an extra joker into the mix. Get ready to unleash the power of these mystical cards as you navigate a realm filled with strategic choices, daring maneuvers, and the exhilaration of taming dragons with every trick.
Dummy Hearts
Dummy Hearts is a three-player variant of the classic card game Hearts. Players bid for control of the dummy hand in this variation, a set of 13 face-down cards. The game’s rules are similar to ordinary Hearts, with a few modifications. At the beginning of the game, the dealer distributes 13 cards to each live player, and an additional 13 cards face down to the dummy hand. Card passing occurs only between the live players in a left-right-hold sequence. Once the cards have been passed, or immediately in the ‘hold’ deal, the dummy hand is turned face-up.
