Hearts

Classic trick-taking card game — avoid the queen of spades

⏱ 15-30 min👥 4⚡ Medium📱 Mobile-friendly🌐 Plays in browser

Opens in a new tab · No downloads required

Our Verdict

The best free browser implementation of Hearts for players who want a clean, no-download experience against solid AI. Ideal for fans of Spades or Euchre who want a trickier challenge around risk management.

What We Like

✓Shooting the moon adds a high-risk reversal mechanic that rewards bold play
✓All 52 cards visible in hand from the start lets you plan entire trick sequences
✓247 Games AI provides three distinct difficulty levels with noticeably different behavior
✓Complete in 15-30 minutes — long enough to be satisfying, short enough to squeeze in anywhere

Watch Out For

✗No human multiplayer — you always play against bots, which removes bluffing depth
✗Four-player requirement means you can't adjust table size if you want a faster or slower game
✗No hand history or replay feature to review where a round went wrong

How to Play Hearts

1Each player is dealt 13 cards. Before play begins, pass 3 cards to another player (direction rotates each hand).
2The player holding the 2 of Clubs leads the first trick. Players must follow the led suit if they can.
3The player who plays the highest card of the led suit wins the trick and leads the next one.
4Hearts cannot be led until a heart has been 'broken' — played as a discard when someone couldn't follow suit.
5At the end of each hand, count your point cards: 1 point per heart, 13 points for the Queen of Spades.
6If you took ALL hearts and the Queen of Spades, you shot the moon — opponents each get 26 points instead of you getting 26. First player to reach 100 points ends the game; lowest score wins.

Controls

mouse: Click a card to select it, click again to play it. During the passing phase, click three cards then click the pass button.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does shooting the moon mean in Hearts?▾

Shooting the moon means taking every single point card in one hand — all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades. Instead of scoring 26 points, you give all 26 points to each opponent. It's a high-risk play that can swing the entire game in one hand.

Can you lead with hearts at the start of a trick?▾

No. Hearts cannot be led until hearts have been 'broken' — meaning at least one heart has been played as a discard in a trick where a player couldn't follow the led suit. The Queen of Spades does not count as breaking hearts.

Is the Queen of Spades always dangerous to hold?▾

Not necessarily. If you're attempting to shoot the moon, you want the Queen of Spades. Otherwise, you need to avoid winning any trick that forces you to take her. High spades (King, Ace) are also risky because they may win a trick where someone discards the Queen.

Game Details

Developer: 247 Games
Released: 1987
Players: 4
Session: session
Difficulty: Medium
Mobile: Yes
Embeddable: Yes