Scoring in the Hearts Card Game

Knowing how scoring works in the Hearts card game is pivotal to your success as you play. While it is a card game similar to Spades and similar to Bridge, there are still many unique differences. For one, Hearts is both a trick-taking and trick-avoiding game. Strategy matters in Hearts because different cards carry different penalty points.

In Hearts, you win by having the lowest score. Avoiding all cards of the Hearts suit and the Queen of Spades is essential to avoiding penalties. Tricks of other suits can be won without adding to your score.

Hearts Scoring Breakdown

You’ve been told to avoid Hearts and the Queen of Spades, but what if you can’t? Sometimes, it’s inevitable that you end up with one or more of these cards. Let’s break down what different cards may mean for your score:

• Hearts: Each Hearts card carries one penalty point.
• Queen of Spades: This one carries a whopping thirteen points for whoever takes her.
• Shooting the Moon: You could try to shoot the moon, a risky approach that aims to collect all Hearts cards and the Queen of Spades. If you succeed, you get zero points while your opponents have twenty-six points added to their scores.

Typically, players continue playing until someone reaches a predetermined score. Most commonly, that is fifty or one hundred. Once someone reaches that score, the person with the fewest points wins.

How to Keep Your Score Low

Because having a low score is the name of the Hearts game, here are some tips and tricks to consider while you play:

• Steer clear of winning tricks that contain Hearts or the Queen of Spades. These cards result in penalties that impact your score.
• Pay attention to the cards others are playing. If you notice someone trying to shoot the moon, you may need to try and stop them. You can work with other players to ensure they win at least one Heart or the Queen of Spades to prevent the player from shooting the moon.

Our advice? Play low and keep a close eye on your hand. By doing so, you can avoid adding extra points to your score.

Common Hearts Gameplay Mistakes

Whether you’re an expert at Hearts or new to the game, mistakes may affect your score. Some people may hold high cards for too long, while others may not pay attention to the cards being played.

Here are a few of the most common mistakes made by Hearts players, and why avoiding these mistakes is important:

• Holding onto high cards for too long could leave you with unwanted tricks and points. Try to get rid of high cards sooner rather than later.
• If you don’t pay attention to the cards being played, you could miss a chance to block an opponent’s attempt to shoot the moon.
• Discard cards wisely. Throwing away a Heart too soon or not using low cards strategically could backfire later in the game.
• Not communicating and adapting to the table dynamics may leave you vulnerable. It’s important to stay engaged and change your strategy based on how your fellow players are making moves.

Play for Free Online at Hearts.co

Looking for some practice to hone your skills? At Hearts.co, you can play as many rounds of Hearts as you’d like at any time, from anywhere. The best part? It’s free! The more you practice, the better you’ll be at keeping your score low and winning.