Hearts Rules and Strategies

The Key to Winning Hearts? Play Styles

There’s no single way to win at Hearts. Success depends on how well you adapt to the cards you’re dealt. Here are five common play styles that can help you form your own approach.

Ideal for: Beginners and risk-averse players.

The Low-Layer tries to avoid taking any tricks. You’re not trying to get clever — just playing low cards and keeping a low profile.

How it works:

• Pass away your highest cards (especially face cards and high Spades).
• Avoid winning any trick unless you're certain it's point-free.
• Use your low cards to “go under” when suits are led.

Tip: When forced to take the lead, play a suit where you still have low cards because it’s better than leading a Heart or Spade and risking points.

Ideal for: Players who like to plan ahead.

Voiding a suit (having no cards of that suit) gives you freedom to dump penalty cards when that suit is led.

How it works:

• During the pass, try to get rid of all cards in one suit (♣, ♦, or ♠).
• If successful, you can later slough off Hearts or the Queen of Spades without danger.

Risks:

• You might get that suit passed right back to you.
• The suit you void may not come up often in play.

Pro tip: Try voiding Clubs when passing to the left and Diamonds when passing to the right — this adds unpredictability.

Ideal for: Experienced players keeping the balance.

The Equalizer’s goal is to pass points to opponents strategically — especially the current leader.

How it works:

• Keep penalty cards like the Queen of Spades.
• Void a suit and keep a long run in another.
• Drop penalty cards into tricks that the leader is likely to win.

Watch out: You might still end up taking points, especially if your opponents catch on.

When to use it: If one player is way ahead, the Equalizer can slow them down without taking big risks.

Ideal for: Confident, aggressive players.

Shooting the Moon means taking all penalty cards — and scoring 0 points while giving 26 to everyone else. It’s risky, but rewarding.

How it works:

• Pass low cards and keep high Hearts and Spades.
• Try to win tricks gradually and take control midway.
• Keep track of suits — know when others are voided.

Backup plan: If things go wrong, be ready to switch to Low-Layer mode and avoid ending up with 25 penalty points.

Ideal for: Defensive players who hate losing big.

If you suspect someone is trying to Shoot the Moon, it’s your job to stop them — even if it costs you a few points.

How it works:

• Keep one low Heart — it’s a blocker against Moon Shooters.
• Take a trick with a Heart early to break their strategy.
• Lead suits they’re likely to be void in.

Smart play: If you ruin someone’s Moon Shot, immediately switch to a more conservative style like the Low-Layer.

Advanced Hearts Strategies

Once you’re comfortable with styles, these next-level tactics can help boost your win rate:

• Pass the 2♣ to avoid starting the round.
• Combo pass: Pair 2♣ with A♣ or K♠ to stress your opponent.
• Disruptive pass: A low Heart + high Heart makes Moon Shooters sweat.

• Track how many cards of each suit are played.
• Keep mental notes of who’s void in what.
• Especially monitor Spades — the Queen hides there!

• Have lots of Spades? Lead high ones and flush the Queen out.
• Force someone else to take it — just don’t lead if you’re still holding her.

• When one player is way ahead, others often team up silently.
• Pass penalty cards toward the leader.
• Deny them a Moon Shot by taking at least one Heart.

Take What You’ve Learned and Start Winning

Mastering Hearts is more than knowing the rules — it’s about knowing when to switch gears. Try out different styles and see what works best for you.

Ready to test your new skills? Play free Hearts on Solitaire.net, where you can sharpen your strategy, track your progress, and enjoy challenging opponents at any time. It’s a great way to practice, compete, and improve—one hand at a time.