Free Online Hearts Card Games: A Comprehensive Guide

Hearts, a popular card game that can be played with friends or family, has been enjoyed for decades. The objective of the game is simple - get as few points as possible by avoiding taking tricks that contain hearts or the queen of spades. In this article, we will delve into the rules and strategies of Hearts, including expert-level gameplay.

Basic Rules

In a standard game of Hearts, players are dealt 13 cards each. The objective is to avoid taking any tricks that have hearts or the queen of spades. Any penalty cards in the trick (hearts or queen of spades) are added to the player's penalty score. The game starts with one player playing a single card, also known as leading.

Passing Cards

At the beginning of each round, players select three cards to pass to one of their opponents. This is an important strategy in Hearts, as it allows you to get rid of your worst cards and reduce your chances of taking tricks that contain penalty cards.

Counting Cards

One special card, the Queen of spades, gives 13 penalty points. The objective of Hearts is to get as few points as possible. To achieve this, players must employ various strategies, including counting cards. There are a few ways to count cards in Hearts, but one simple method is to keep track of how many times a suit has gone around.

Expert-Level Gameplay

Expert Hearts players will find that the game requires strategy and perseverance to win. The key to success lies in avoiding winning tricks in any heart and saying adios to the Black Lady (Queen of Spades) if you encounter her. If you can manage to avoid taking all 13 hearts and the Queen of spades, your score will actually revert to zero!

In conclusion, Hearts is a fun and challenging card game that requires strategy and skill to win. Whether you're playing with friends or family, or competing against expert-level players online, this guide has provided you with the basic rules and strategies needed to succeed. So why not give it a try? Join 247 Hearts expert players today and test your skills at the highest level of Hearts play!

Free online hearts card games