Follow suit if you can. Hearts and Q♠ (13 pts) hurt — but capturing all 26 in one hand shoots the moon: opponents take 26 each. First to 100 ends the match; lowest score wins.
About Hearts
Hearts card game online — the classic four-player trick-taking game. Pass three cards each round, avoid taking hearts, and especially avoid the Queen of Spades. Score zero each hand if you can; shoot the moon if you take everything. First player to 100 points loses.
Three AI opponents pass and play with reasonable strategy — pondernook hearts isn't trying to be a world-class card AI, but it knows the basics and won't blunder away the queen. Standard conventions are used: hearts can't be led until they've been broken, opening lead is two of clubs, no spades in the pass on the no-pass round. No signup, no payments, plays in your browser on phone or desktop.
Frequently asked questions
What is “shooting the moon”?
If you capture all 26 penalty points — every heart plus the Queen of Spades — in a single hand, you score zero and each opponent takes 26 instead.
How does scoring work?
Each heart is worth one point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13; you want the fewest points. The match ends when a player reaches 100, and the lowest total wins.
Why can't I lead a heart?
Hearts can't be led until they have been “broken” by being played on an earlier trick. The opening lead of each hand is always the two of clubs.