| THE OFFICIAL RULES OF HEARTS (AND VARIATIONS)
Since the publication (1983) of the original edition of my book WIN AT HEARTS, I have received a number of letters (and more recently, e-mails) regarding the rules of the game.
Hearts has been around for more than 250 years, and has evolved constantly. The modern game has seen several rules changes. If you are new to Hearts, I suggest acquiring a copy of my book, or referring to the newly revised Bicycle Official Rules of Card Games, published by The United States Playing Card Company (Cincinnati, OH).
The standard game of Hearts is played by four persons, and all 52 cards are dealt. There is no need to review the basic rules, as most of you have played previously. However, there are variations that are worthy of review.
1. THE PASS
At one time, Hearts was played without the pass of three cards. Then, a pass of three cards TO THE LEFT -- ONLY was added in the late 1800s. Eventually, a pass to the right and another across were included. During the 1950s, the option of the "keeper" or "hold" hand on every fourth deal became popular. A lot of rule books endorsed this change.
Passing is integral to Hearts. It gives you a chance of improving your hand and then, if possible, of “burning” a certain opponent. "Hold" hands do change the strategy of the game, as the luck factor is increased. This is especially true toward the end of a close match. If you are dealt a vulnerable Spade or weak Heart suit, your goose is cooked right then and there! Most sites have adopted the 1950s rule, and have the pass rotation of Left, Right, Across, and "Hold." A few permit removing the "hold" hand feature. In "live," or "home," games, I recommend the Left-Right-Across rotation. However, if you find yourself in a game with hold hands, you must adjust, and hope that your keeper hands are decent, or at least marginal.
Final thought: A game with all hold hands is a fascinating idea! "Shooting the Moon" would be very difficult indeed!
2. THE OPENING LEAD
The original rule was to have the person seated to the left of the dealer designated as the first lead. Any card could be played, with the exception of a Heart. It was permissible to drop the Spade Queen or a Heart on the first trick (if the play was legal, and not a revoke). Around 1940 or so, the Deuce of Clubs variation was introduced. After the pass, the person who held the Club Deuce was required to play this card. No point card (Spade Queen or a Heart) could be dropped on this trick. The winner of the first trick made the first lead to the second trick.
This became the standard of the game. There are a few players who still prefer the original (left-of-the-dealer) opening lead. And there are those who believe that it is quite acceptable to dump a point card on the first (Club) trick. Be sure that you understand what is allowed on the first trick of the hand!
3. “BREAKING” OF POINTS
When a Heart is discarded by a player who is void of the suit in play, this constitutes, the "breaking" of points. (A player who holds all Hearts toward the end of a hand is also forced to lead the suit.) Does the lead or discard of the Spade Queen break Hearts? This has been a disputed issue for years. I have advocated the rule that the Spade Queen does "break " points. After all, she is a "point" card. The strategy of the game is altered depending on your interpretation of this rule. This is especially true if a player (on lead) is reduced to the holding of the Spade Queen and all Hearts, and no Heart has been discarded previously. Most Internet sites have adopted the rule that the Spade Queen does "break" points. Know thy variation before playing in a "live" game -- especially if cash is involved!
4. “SHOOTING THE MOON”
This has been a part of Hearts for more than 100 years. At first, there appears to be no issue here. You Shoot, you dump 26 points on the scores of your opponents, and that is that. However, let us look at a typical (100-point limit) game situation:
SCORES:
Player "A" - 50 Points
Player "B" - 78 Points
Player "C" - 80 Points
(YOU) - 82 Points
You have a rotten hand after the pass, and you Shoot the Moon. If the rule requires you to add the points, the game is ended, and you come in second place. The player in first place wins -- thanks to YOUR shoot!
The solution is to have a subtraction option, and the best way to do this is allow anyone the choice of subtracting the points for Shooting the Moon, when the score in a 100 point game is 74 or greater. Of course, if you can win the game by Shooting, that is always ideal!
As I said, the rules of any card game are always subject to review and interpretation!
Happy Valentine's Day! (Most appropriate for Hearts players!) | |
