| Hearts has been around for more than 250 years. It is one of the Classic Card Games, and is played by millions. Many people are introduced to Hearts during childhood. It is also one of the games featured in multi-game packages, and is included in most of the "Windows" programs for computers. Its unusual "Cutthroat" feature, with everyone playing for himself, has made Hearts a favorite in America. (A Partnership Variation has been around for several years). The Internet has helped to rekindle interest in this Classic, and Tournaments abound! Now, let us look at "The Story Behind The Story."
H - HEART (SUIT)
E - EXCHANGE OF CARDS (THE PASS)
A - ANTICIPATION
R - RUNNING (SHOOTING THE MOON)
T - TEAM PLAY
S - SPADE QUEEN
"H" - THE HEART SUIT
Managing the Heart suit is essential. Too much emphasis is placed on the Queen of Spades. Yes, she is the key card, and represents 50% of the points for each hand. However, those Hearts add up, too. It is essential to track every Heart which has been played or discarded. The "splitting" of Hearts (between two opponents) is a very effective defense against a possible Moon. Because Hearts are not played until the middle or later stages of hand, the management of this suit decides the outcome of each deal.
EXCHANGE OF CARDS (THE PASS)
You will be faced with a passing decision for three out of four hands. (The 4th hand is a "hold" or "keeper" hand.) The purpose of the pass is to improve your hand. Of course, if you can "burn" an opponent, too, that is great! Never pass a Spade lower than the Queen, and do not keep the Spade Queen unless you have sufficient protection (four accompanying "backers"). Try to pass a middle Heart. This is a good defense against the Moon! If you can void a minor (club or diamond suit), that is always helpful. Think before you pass, and always be aware of the score!
ANTICIPATION
Anticipation in Hearts is dealing with the unexpected. If an opponent is discarding low cards and then playing higher cards in the same suit, a Moon may be in the making! Failure to lead Spades is the sign of possession of the Queen, or possible Ace/King troubles. The receipt of the pass of low Spades or low Hearts is also a warning of a possible Moonshot. Finally, the discard of a high card in a minor suit is usually an indication of weakness in that suit. Exploit it!
RUNNING (SHOOTING THE MOON)
Most Moonshots (Slams) are made by mutual cooperation of two or more players. Sometimes, it is necessary to allow a player to shoot, if the result does not hurt you - or - if your hand is so bad that you were going to "eat" a bushel of points anyway. It is truly dreadful when a Moon is given away by poor defense (such as the discarding of a key or "stopping" card). Another scenario occurs when a player passes top cards (or no low Heart to the shooter. Then, you have the case of greed, where one player does not want to take four points to stop the Moon, and you soak in 26 points with a "safe" hand. Finally, there are those Moons which are made with all of the top Hearts and the Queen. Here you can do nothing, but to congratulate the player who is fortunate to make the Slam!
TEAM PLAY
It may sound strange, but the game of Hearts is really a "Team" game, despite its "Cutthroat" Nature. It is absolutely essential to be aware of the score at all times, and in particular, who the "low" player is. Three people, working together can be very effective against the "low" person. Placing the Spade Queen is the key to success. Anyone can drive the Spade Queen randomly. It makes no sense to pass the Queen to the player in third or fourth place, followed by Spade leads. This is often a foolish approach (unless, of course, you are in first place!) Teaming up is much more fun! Playing for second place is a loser's strategy (unless the format calls for two player advancing to the next round). If there is a subtraction option for Moonshots, then it is often a good idea to let the high person score a Moon, and reduce his/her score. Unless the low player is very lucky, a "team" approach will usually get the job done.
SPADE QUEEN
As mentioned before, the Queen of Spades is the key card. Managing the Spade suit is an essential part of the game. Pass the Queen if it is weakly protected. Hold the Queen for the low person (unless you are at risk of having her driven out of your hand). Count the Spade suit, and keep track of the Ace and King. Once in while, you may have to take the Queen in order to stop a shoot - this is most unusual. Don't forget to track the score at the beginning of every hand.
That's it folks - HEARTS in a nutshell!
QUIZ- (DEC. 2000)
The answer for last month's Card History Challenge will be posted in February. So far, no one has come up with the correct answer. (Please refer to the December column).
HAVE A GREAT 2001!) | |
