Free Online Games Cards Hearts: A Classic Trick-Taking Card Game

Hearts is a popular classic trick-taking card game that has been entertaining players for generations. Also known as Black Lady, Black Maria, or Black Widow, this game can be played online for free with other players or against computer opponents. With its simple rules and engaging gameplay, Hearts is a great way to spend time with friends and family.

The objective of the game is to score as few points as possible by avoiding taking tricks that contain hearts or the queen of spades, which are worth one and 13 points respectively. The game consists of several rounds, each of which has four phases: dealing, passing, playing, and scoring.

At the beginning of each round, the cards are shuffled and dealt face down to each player, so that everyone has 13 cards. The cards are ranked from ace (high) to two (low), and the suits are irrelevant. Players must choose three cards from their hand and pass them face down to another player before the first trick is played.

The direction of passing changes every round: in the first round, players pass to the left; in the second round, they pass to the right; in the third round, across; and in the fourth round, there is no passing. The game also features a unique twist: if a player manages to take all 13 hearts and the queen of spades, they score zero points and make the other players score 26 points each.

To win the game, players must carefully consider which cards to play and when to avoid taking tricks that contain hearts or the queen of spades. The winner of the trick is the one who plays the highest card of the lead suit, but if they cannot follow the running suit, they can play any card they want.

If a player has taken all 13 hearts and the queen of spades, they have 'shot the moon' and scored zero points for that round. The total points for each player are added to their previous score from previous rounds, and the game continues until all 13 tricks have been played.

Hearts is a fun and challenging card game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're playing with friends or against computer opponents, this classic trick-taking game is sure to provide hours of entertainment. So why not give it a try? You can find free online versions of Hearts at many popular gaming websites.

Free online games cards hearts