| Readers' Questions -- Joe Replies
Note: If you have a question about the game of Hearts, please send an e-mail to Heartsmoon@aol.com. Questions will be answered in the order received.
Mike, an avid reader, asks:
Let's say you are dealt one or two high Hearts and you are passing, and you want to cover your pass, but obviously you can't do it in Hearts. I have heard players say "then cover in another suit" but how can you do this, since a player does not have to lead that other suit to Moon? Also, you are setting yourself up to eat her highness if you hold a high minor back, trying to cover.
I know that in a 100 or 125 game this may not be so big an issue, but on the Net, when you are playing to 50 or 55, one Moon is almost always fatal and so defense is key.
I had thought that if dealt one high Heart, you just passed Dimes [Diamonds] and Clubs (assuming Spades are safe, of course) and hoped for the best, but now I am wondering.
By the way, your book and columns have helped me so much. I had been getting just hammered out there, so I regrouped and studied a bit and now I am sporting an 1825 rating!
Mike:
Let us assume that you are dealt any of these four hands: As per your inquiry, I will include safe Spades. Two hands will have two high Hearts (each), and the other two will have one high Heart (each). FYI, The Ace of Hearts should rarely be passed, as it is a natural "stopper." (Some players like to pass the Ace AND a middle Heart. This is an acceptable alternative.) Each of the hands has a passing situation; let us assume the pass is directly across. Assume the game is young, and the score is close.
By the way, if you are in a "short" game of three or four hands, or 50 points, it is absolutely essential to play some defense, and not allow an easy Moon.
A.
 J 10 8 4
 K Q
 A 4 2
 K 9 8 4
B.
 10 9 3
 Q 9
 K Q 10
 J 9 8 7 5
C.
 6 5 4 2
 Q
 A J 2
 A J 9 5 3
D.
 J 7 4
 10
 K Q J 10 8 7
 K Q 9
Analysis:
Hand A. Here the minor suits (Clubs and Diamonds) are both reasonably safe. I would pass the Queen of Hearts, and the 9 and 8 of Clubs. (The King and 9 of Clubs is also OK.) I expect to have a Heart passed to me. If I receive high Clubs, that is fine. I have four Spade "drivers" (or "backers" if the Spade Queen is passed to me), and controls in the minor suits. The outlook here is good.
Hand B. Here the Dimes are very bad, and the Hearts are dreadful as well. Ditch both Hearts (yes, yes, I know -- my recipient might have the A-K-J of Hearts; if that is the case, my Doubleton Queen of Hearts isn't stopping anything). In addition, I would pass the Queen of Dimes -- keeping the King for control. Another choice is to dump the top two Dimes, and the 9 of Hearts. This still leaves you with a bad Heart, and two bad Hearts if you receive another middle Heart. Your best hope now is that Dimes break normally, or someone holds a weakly guarded Spade Queen.
Hand C. This is the best of the lot. Drop the Queen of Hearts, Jack of Dimes, and the Jack of Clubs. You have four Spades for pushing (or as "backers"), and comfortable minor suits with first-round controls. I like this hand!
Hand D. Who let the dogs out? The only solace here is Spades. Don't waste your time with the Dimes. Get rid of that pesky 10 of Hearts, and the Q - 9 of Clubs. If no Heart is passed to you, you might be able to set up for a Moon, if the Ace of Dimes appears early (without fetching a Heart discard). Let's face reality here. You will probably receive a Heart in the pass, and some lousy Clubs. Now, the only chance is to drive out the Evil Lady, or hope that the location of the key Diamonds is favorable. It is a big order to be sure -- a lot of hands require a lot of help "from Above."
In summary, pass a stopper Heart if you can. Dumping a Club or Diamond suit might allow you to discard a Heart; it might also let an opponent Shoot the Moon. The score, the position of the low Player, and your hand at any given time will really dictate your move.
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| Wanted! Hearts Players
For the 4th Annual National Championships in Cincinnati, OH (Nov. 7-9, 2003)
Is the game of Hearts going the way of the DoDo Bird? Say it ain't so -- Joe! While "live" Spades and Euchre Tournaments continue to flourish, "live" Hearts Tourneys are few and far between. The online Hearts numbers are holding their own, while the other card games show solid increases each year.
This year's finals will feature an open event for Hearts players. (Spades and Euchre events are plentiful and have their own qualifiers.) If you've got the "Right Stuff" or think you have it, and can come to Cincinnati in early November, send an e-mail to me (heartsmoon@aol.com). Be sure to mention the Hearts Nationals. Accept the challenge. Meet your fellow Hearts players. Come to Cincinnati in the Fall! And perhaps you will cart home a trophy or some other cool prizes!
“Live Card Game” Events -- The 2003 Grand Prix Series
Check it out!
Grand Prix Card Tournaments03
Happy summer -- see you in September! | |
