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  Hearts Tips and Strategies

Hearts Column of the Month -- April 2005

By Joe Andrews

Desperation Plays in Hearts: Passing/End Game

You are playing in a highly experienced live competitive Hearts game. You are also sitting in third place with a score of 87 points. (The fourth place player at your right side has 93 points, and the other two opponents have scores of 56 and 62 points respectively.) You pick up this collection of cards:

 Q 3 2

 K 7 5 3

 A K 4 2

 K Q

The pass is to the right (to the high score). What do you do?

Here are the choices:

a)       Queen of spades, seven of hearts, King of clubs

b)       Queen of spades, King and Queen of clubs

c)        Queen of spades, Ace and King of diamonds

d)       Queen, three and deuce of spades

If you chose (d), go to the head of the class! You are giving the high player a protected spade Queen, and hoping that he can wait to blast either of the lower-scoring players. Of course, we must assume that he was dealt at least two spades (a reasonably good bet). You also have the other three suits well covered. In the highly unlikely case that the recipient of your pass shoots the Moon, he will subtract the points, rather than end the game. And if he panics and rips you with the spade Queen, while holding a safe hand, I suggest that you exclude him from your Hearts group!

Why are the other choices bad? Well, in example (a), you are threatening to end the game for this player, especially if the spade Queen is weakly supported and forced out. Do you really want to come in third place? In example (b), you are allowing for a Moon possibility. This is not a terrible outcome. However, what will happen if this player was not going for the Moon? The same can be said for (c). Those high cards and a weak spade Queen could end the game as well. Thus, the decision is rather clear-cut.

Finally, if you had the same hand and were passing to either of the low-scoring players, you would then revert to the normal pass of the spade Queen, seven of hearts, and a high club.

Let's take the same score scenario, but this time you are passing across the table to the low person. Here is your hand:

 A Q 6 5 2

 9 3

 Q 10

 A K J 7

This one is easy! Pass the Queen and ten of diamonds and the nine of hearts. In the end game, a stopping heart must be passed to ward off the threat of a Moon. Let us say that you receive the Jack of hearts, Ace of diamonds, and the nine of clubs.

Here is the play plan: you will win the Ace of clubs, and promptly cash the Ace of diamonds. Then the King of clubs is taken. If the club Queen comes out, your task is easier. In any case, the plan is to continue clubs until that suit is stripped. You want to see the heart suit broken. You would also like to drop the Jack of hearts on a diamond; however, if the low-scoring player is winning a diamond, you must unload the spade Queen. These hands are very easy to read, as control of the spade Queen is most helpful.

Six-Handed Hearts - Part III of a Series About Hearts Variations

During the glory era (1971-1980) of the New England Hearts Players' Association, many variations were tried. Two of the most popular were Partnership Hearts and Six-Handed Hearts. The latter game was an excellent solution if you had two extra players. It's a fun game, and it also features the Jack of diamonds. Here are the rules:

·        Two decks are required. Remove the Jokers.

·        Remove one of the deuces of clubs, and one of the deuces of diamonds.

·        Each player receives 17 cards.

·        Points are scored for accumulating hearts (there are 26), either or both of the spade Queens at 13 points each. Points are deducted for taking either or both of the diamond Jacks (minus ten points for each Jack).

·        The opening lead starts with the player who holds the deuce of clubs.

·        There is no painting or dumping of a point card on the first trick.

·        If two equal cards are played on a given trick, the first one played wins. For example, if two Aces of diamonds appear on the lead of a diamond, the first Ace played is the winner.

·        The pass direction is Left, Second Left, Across, Second Right and Right.

·        There is no keeper or hold hand.

·        Four cards are passed, instead of three.

·        The game limit is usually 75 points; however, a 100 point game can be played.

Shooting the Moon is almost impossible; if someone is able to do this, they get to dump 52 points on each of other players. (Don't worry, folks, I have seen it happen only twice in more than 300 games of this variation.) I suppose you are thinking about Shooting the Moon, AND taking both diamond Jacks? Wow! Perhaps we could call that "Shooting the Sun" or "Shooting the Stars!"

This is a really fun game, perfect for parties or family gatherings. It is not as intense as the regular game, and is always good for lots of laughs. Give it a try!

WANTED! Players for the World Series of Hearts
September 2005

Got game? Then check out the Grand Prix Web Site:
http://www.grandprixtournaments.com/

If you want to receive an invite to the "Big Dance", send an e-mail to:
heartsmoon@aol.com

See you next month!