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  Hearts Tips and Strategies

Hearts Column of the Month – February 2002

By Joe Andrews

1. Basic Rules Survey
Here are the results of last month's survey based on the 223 responses received. Congratulations to "shupman," "erika l," and "bagel 33." You were the first three persons who replied.

These five questions were asked:

a.       Do you prefer to have a "keeper" or "hold" hand as part of the game?

(Every fourth deal features a no-passing keeper hand as part of the rotation).

Results:

Retain ("Hold") Hands -- 108 ("Yes")
Delete "Hold" Hands -- 115 ("No")

Comment: Each group fiercely defended their stance. The "hold" hand advocates stated that the "no pass" hand created a challenge, and helped to equalize the skill factor (giving a weaker player a chance against a stronger player). The "anti-hold" hand camp stated that passing was part of Hearts. It was also noted that many winning games were lost in the end stages because of a keeper hand featuring a "hanging" Spade Queen, or poor cards in the heart suit.

b.       Do you prefer the current rule which requires the person who Shoots the Moon in a given hand to ADD the 26 points to his opponents' scores?

Results:

Retain "Add-On" Moon Rule -- 66
Apply Modified Subtraction Option – 157

Comment: The current rule affects the outcome of the game, especially when anyone has a score of 74 or more points. Sometimes, Shooting the Moon can be a detriment, especially if it helps another player to win.

c.        Do you prefer that the Queen of Spades NOT "break" hearts?

Results:

Queen of Spades does not "break" Hearts – 140
Queen of Spades "breaks" Hearts – 83

Comment: This was not even close. I was surprised at the result. However, the masses have spoken. The game is altered with the Spade Queen not breaking hearts; however, it is not a significant change.

d.       Would you like to have a room that has a 50-point or 125-point limit?

Results:

Standard Game (100 Points) -- 205 ("Yes")
Shorter Game (50 Points) or Longer Game (125 Points) -- 18 ("No")

Comment: A rout! The Standard Game wins in a landslide!

e.       Would you prefer to have the opening lead from the player to the left of the dealer instead of the standard (required) Deuce of Clubs lead?

Results:

Opening Lead to the left of the dealer – 46
Standard Opening Lead (Deuce of Clubs) – 177

Comment: The deuce of clubs lead is clearly preferred.

A few additional suggestions were also submitted. Among the ideas was the establishment of a Rated Area with assigned (dedicated) rooms for 1700+, 1800+, and 1900+ rated players. A Partnership Hearts area was also proposed. One person thought that "Cancellation" Hearts was worthy of consideration!

Game of the Year? January 2002
In rated Room # 2 -- a most interesting game was observed. At the end of deal #15, the scores were as follows:

Pete N3J -- 96
Greenfleas -- 97
Scorpionut -- 98
Mystery player -- 99 (name withheld)

The most remarkable aspect here was that this game had reached the maximum of number of deals (15) and points (390) -- a truly rare occurrence. The game would end (perforce) on the next deal (#16), which featured a "hold" hand. At this point, "Mystery player" (99 points) quit the game -- or was booted. Perhaps his "keeper" hand was unpalatable, or by some coincidence, his computer crashed. After a long wait for his possible return, the results were final. Unfortunately, "scorpionut" (whom I was kibbing) had picked up this hand:

 K Q J 6 5 4 2
 5 4 2
 Void
 A 6 3

The chances were quite favorable for zero points, and an opportunity to win First Place, or at the very least, Second Place.

Instead, she placed third, and received NO rating points.

C'est la vie! C'est la guerre!