Hearts
Hearts at your next game night?
Add Hearts to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer (Uncredited)
- Publisher Briarpatch , Buffalo Games , Built-Rite , Creative Child Games
- Illustration Matt Hessler , Marjorie Priceman
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
In Hearts, players try to avoid winning certain penalty cards, notably hearts and the queen of spades. The game involves careful card play to minimize points, with the famous 'Shoot the Moon' option allowing a player to take all penalty cards and give points to opponents. It blends trick-taking with a 'take that' style interaction, creating tense and dynamic rounds.
Who Is This Game For?
Hearts is a family-friendly game suitable for ages 8 and up, accommodating 3 to 7 players. With a playing time around 30 minutes, it fits well into casual gaming sessions. No prior experience is required, making it accessible to new players.
How It Works
Hearts is a trick-taking game where players play cards in turn without a trump suit. The goal is to avoid capturing hearts and the queen of spades, which carry penalty points. The score-and-reset mechanic means points accumulate over several rounds. Player turn order depends on the cards played (Turn Order: Stat-Based). 'Take That' elements come from forcing opponents to win unwanted tricks.
What Makes It Special
Although the designer is unknown, Hearts is one of the oldest known trick-taking games, notable for its avoidance-based gameplay. It belongs to the Whist family but uniquely focuses on avoiding certain tricks. Its enduring popularity since the 19th century marks it as a foundational classic with Score-and-Reset and Take-That mechanics.
Pro
- Easy to learn and quick to play
- Supports 3 to 7 players
- Engaging Take-That mechanic through trick avoidance
- Long-standing classic card game
Contra
- No solo mode available
- Relatively simple with little thematic depth
- Penalty points may frustrate younger children
Setting & atmosphere
Hearts uses a standard deck of playing cards and features an abstract gameplay without thematic elements, focusing purely on trick-taking and scoring.
Tips for beginners
Watch what cards others are collecting and try to avoid risky tricks to minimize penalty points.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Hearts is designed for 3 to 7 players and does not have a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 30 minutes, suitable for a short play session.
What prior experience do I need?
Hearts is easy to learn and suitable for players with no prior experience.
How does this compare to similar games?
Hearts differs by focusing on trick avoidance rather than winning tricks, unlike many other trick-taking games.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, Hearts is family-friendly, recommended for ages 8 and up with simple rules.
What mechanic makes it special?
Its combination of trick-taking with score-and-reset and take-that mechanics makes Hearts unique.
Fazit
Hearts is a timeless, easy-to-learn card game ideal for groups and families who enjoy light tactical play. It offers quick, engaging rounds without complex rules.
Hearts at your next game night?
Add Hearts to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Hearts to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
