Play Hearts online
A low score is a good score in Hearts. Play against three computer opponents, pass the cards you would rather not keep, and decide when to take control of a trick.\n\nThis free single-player game uses a 52-card deck, with aces high. Choose Easy, Medium or Hard and play until someone reaches 100 points. The player with the lowest total wins.
How to Play
- Goal: Finish with the lowest score. Every heart costs 1 point and the queen of spades costs 13.\n2. Deal: All 52 cards go to four players, 13 each. Play runs clockwise.\n3. Pass: Choose three cards to pass. The direction cycles left, right, across, then a hand with no passing.\n4. Lead: The player holding the two of clubs leads it. The first trick allows no hearts and no queen of spades unless nothing else is legal.\n5. Follow: Follow the led suit when you can. Hearts may only be led once a heart or the queen of spades has been played.\n6. Score: Take all 26 points to shoot the moon and score 0 while everyone else takes 26. The match ends when someone reaches 100; the lowest total wins.
Hearts Rules
Deal and pass. Each of four players receives 13 cards. Pass three cards left on the first hand, right on the second, across on the third, then keep your hand on the fourth. Repeat this cycle. Passes are exchanged together after all four players have chosen.\n\nStart with the two of clubs. Whoever holds the two of clubs leads it to the first trick. Play proceeds clockwise. You must follow the led suit if you can. On the first trick, you cannot discard a heart or the queen of spades unless no other legal card is available.\n\nWin a trick. The highest card of the led suit wins. There is no trump suit. The winner collects the four cards and leads the next trick. Aces are high.\n\nBreak hearts. You cannot lead a heart until hearts are broken, unless your hand contains only hearts. In Arcadia, playing either a heart or the queen of spades breaks hearts. Other versions may use different rules for the queen.\n\nCount the points. Each captured heart adds 1 point. The captured queen of spades adds 13. There are 26 points available in each hand. You want to avoid these points.\n\nShoot the moon. If you capture all 13 hearts and the queen of spades, you add 0 points and each opponent adds 26. Arcadia uses this fixed rule, with no option to subtract 26 from your own score.\n\nFinish the match. Finish the hand even if its points will take someone to 100. After scoring, if anyone has 100 or more, the match ends. The lowest total wins; tied lowest totals share the victory.
Hearts Strategy
- Pass with a plan. Passing high cards can reduce risk, but a short suit can be useful too. Passing your last cards in a suit gives you opportunities to discard points when someone leads it.\n\n- Keep protection in spades. Low spades can help you follow suit without taking the queen. Holding the ace or king of spades becomes more dangerous when you have few smaller spades to play first.\n\n- Watch what has been played. Remember the high cards and note who cannot follow suit. This public information helps you judge whether a lead is likely to win or receive a dangerous discard.\n\n- Watch for the moon. If one opponent keeps taking every point, consider taking a point yourself to stop a moon. Try your own moon only with enough high cards and suit control to collect every heart and the queen.
Tips
Strong play usually comes from tempo, risk control, and converting small advantages.
- Play lines that keep your options open.
- Protect key assets and avoid overextending.
- Force your opponent into predictable responses.
FAQ
Can I play Hearts free?
Yes. This Arcadia game is free single-player Hearts against three computer opponents.
What are the basic Hearts card game rules?
Follow suit when possible, let the highest card of the led suit take the trick, and avoid hearts and the queen of spades. The lowest total wins when a completed hand takes any player to at least 100.
Which way do I pass cards?
Pass three left, then three right, then three across. Keep all your cards on the fourth hand. The cycle then repeats.
Who leads the first trick?
The player holding the two of clubs must lead that card, including after the pass.
Can I play points on the first trick?
Only if you have no other legal card. You must still follow clubs if you have one. If you cannot follow clubs and hold a non-point card, discard that instead of a heart or the queen of spades.
Does the queen of spades break hearts?
Yes, in Arcadia either a heart or the queen of spades breaks hearts. You may lead hearts afterward. Before then, you may lead a heart only if your remaining hand is all hearts.
What does shooting the moon do?
Capture all 26 points to add 0 to your own score and 26 to each opponent. There is no choice of an alternative score adjustment here.
How do the difficulty levels work?
Easy, Medium and Hard change how often a computer opponent uses its card-selection strategy. Every level sees only its own hand and public play. Medium is the default.
Ready to play Hearts?
Launch the free demo, learn the flow, and practice your tactics.
