Hearts
Hearts is a card game that involves 4 players. Though if you are short a person or have a few extra, it can be played just as easily with 3 to 6 people. Hearts is a different type of card game, which involves "tricking" the opponents to win.
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History of Hearts
While Hearts stemmed from something that originated in the 1700s, it officially became known as "Hearts" in 1850. During that time card games were the primary source of entertainment. There was very little to keep men and women and children entertained, so card games were popular. A few variants of the game were developed, including "Black Maria." Even though at that point Black Maria was a "variant" of the game style, it is what developed into the standard game that people still play today.
Originally the game was designed to dump and then avoid cards, there wasn't a solid point or game system developed yet. Eventually a guy came up with the concept of a rare "Shoot the Moon" hand. If a player nabbed all of the Hearts, plus the Queen of Spades in one hand, other players were given 26 points each and the player that "shot the moon" was crowned an instant winner of that hand.
After many revisions and changes to the standard game play, the game is now set and the current rules have been in place for decades now.
How to Play Hearts
The object of the game is to have the fewest points possible at the end. While most games focus on higher points, with Hearts you want the least amount possible. If you use hearts or a Queen of Spades then you get points added to your score.
Since the game is played with 52 cards, the play style works best with 4 players. This allows the deck to be divided into 13 cards per player. Cards are dealt clockwise. If there are only 3 players then each player receives 17 cards and the 2 diamond is removed from the deck.
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Passing in Hearts is a common practice, but the basic game play does not involve card passing. Since it is important to understand the passing game play for online play, you should still learn it for future reference. At the beginning of the game you choose 3 cards randomly without looking. These cards are then passed to the next player in a clockwise motion. Another way to pass is very commonly practiced in computer games. Players start by passing 3 cards to the left. Then 3 cards to the right. Then across the table. Card passing is a huge part of Hearts game play, and should be learned by all serious players. For online gaming it is a bit easier since passing the correct way is automated.
Actual game play can become complex once started. With so many variants and online versus live play, it can be complicated for a new player to learn. Once you get the hang of the system however, Hearts is a very fun and lively game.
The player that starts the game is usually the one holding a 2 club. If there are 5 players however, a 3 club is used to start the game. When this card is played it must be played down so that it is visible to all players. The other 3 players then lay their card down in the same suit. If a player cannot lay down a club, then they must choose another card. The point is to get rid of cards and avoid points through each round. Avoid using a heart or Queen of Spades when playing.
The player that uses the highest card for the "trick" takes the trick and gets points added to their score. Remember, you want to avoid scoring points in order to win the game. That player then starts the next trick by choosing a card. Hearts cannot be a lead card until someone uses a heart on a previous trick, but not as a lead. For online play you can see a heart being "broken" on the screen. Online play makes it much easier to learn how to play the game.
Play Hearts For Real Money
Hearts is a fun and easy game to play for real money. There are a number of outlets online for playing for cash. Once you have practiced enough to get a firm grasp on game play, you can start entering tournaments to win real money! You will need strong strategy to play for real money however, so following the solid strategy guide below will help you the most for getting the jackpot when playing for real money.
Strategy for Playing Hearts
When you start a trick always begin with your lowest value card. A lower number will usually prevent other players from ducking. In this case starting with a high number will always work against you. If you can avoid it, keep your lowest for your starting hand.
When picking up cards try to avoid your hearts or queen of spades for as long as possible. Sometimes you are forced into using those cards, but it can be prevented. Hang onto them. These cards can be used to "shoot the moon" or prevent someone else from shooting.
Shooting the Moon is an excellent strategy but one that takes great care to accomplish. In order to successfully do it, you need a hand that has a lot of high value hearts and spades. Another tip contradicts this however, which involves passing your highest value cards. If you pass high value cards that are not queens and spades, you are still in the game for "shooting the moon."
Play your high non-hearts and spades cards first. This will force other players to also do the same. However, you will want to keep the ace of hearts. This card is strong and one of the most powerful for staying ahead. You should pass face cards and aces but always keep your ace of hearts.
Card counting is also a common strategy. Pay close attention to what cards have been played and who played them. This will give you a good indicator on whether or not they are close to shooting the moon and what your next strategy should be.
