Hearts
Also known as: Black Lady / Black Maria / Hearts Card GameHearts is a card game for 3 to 5 players that takes about 20 minutes. Avoid taking hearts and the queen of spades — the lowest score wins. Free. In-browser. No account.
Joining is free, and no account is needed.Learn how to play (3 min)
Hearts in 30 seconds
- Set upDeal out the whole deck, then pass three cards to another player.
- Take turnsThe two of clubs leads. Follow the suit that was led if you can.
- PointsThe highest card of the suit led takes the trick. Hearts are 1 each, the queen of spades is 13.
- Lowest winsThe game ends when somebody reaches 100. The lowest score wins.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 3–5 players |
| Play time | About 20 min |
| Type | Cards |
| Ranked play | Yes |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-14 |
How to play Hearts online
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 3–5 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup
- Three to five players and a 52-card deck. No jokers.
- Everyone gets the same number of cards. With three players the two of diamonds comes out; with five, the two of diamonds and the two of clubs.
- Before play, choose three cards from your hand and pass them on. The direction changes each deal: left, right, across, then no passing (with four players).
- Everyone chooses at the same time, and you only see what you were given once everyone has passed.
How to play
- Whoever holds the two of clubs leads it (the three of clubs with five players).
- Play then goes round, one card each. If you hold the suit that was led you must follow it; otherwise you may play anything.
- Once everyone has played, the highest card of the suit led takes the trick and leads the next one. Two is lowest and the ace is highest.
- You cannot lead a heart until somebody has played one — unless hearts are all you hold.
- On the very first trick you cannot play a heart or the queen of spades, unless that is all you hold.
Winning
- Every heart you take is one point and the queen of spades is thirteen, so each deal hands out 26 points in total.
- Take all 26 yourself and you shoot the moon: you score nothing and everyone else takes 26.
- The game ends with the deal in which somebody reaches 100. The lowest score wins.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game ends at | The game ends with the deal in which somebody reaches this score. | 100 | Yes |
| Pass three cards | Pass three cards at the start of each deal. The direction changes each deal. | On | Yes |
| No points on the first trick | Stops hearts and the queen of spades being played to the first trick. | On | Yes |
| Shooting the moon | Take all 26 points and you score nothing while everyone else takes 26. | On | Yes |
| Jack of diamonds is −10 | Whoever takes the jack of diamonds has ten points taken off. | Off | Yes |
FAQ
How many players?
Three to five. Four is the easiest number to play with.
How long does a game take?
About twenty minutes with the default target of 100. A party can set it to 50 for a game about half as long.
Can I practise alone?
Yes. Press Play vs CPU to play against three computer players.
Can the others see my hand?
No. Everyone else only sees how many cards you hold, and the three cards you choose to pass stay hidden until everyone has passed.
Who goes first?
Whoever was dealt the two of clubs. With five players that card is out, so the three of clubs leads.
Can I play at school or work (unblocked)?
Yes. Hearts runs entirely in your browser, with nothing to download or install, so it works on most school and work networks that block app stores or game downloads. If your network blocks the whole site, ask an administrator to allow boardgamejoin.com.
Is there a 2 player mode?
Hearts needs at least 3 players, so there is no 2-player mode — but you can play solo against the computer, which fills the other seats.
Can I play against the computer?
Yes. Press “Play vs CPU” on the Hearts page to start right away against a computer opponent — no waiting for other players.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Cards)
- President3–6 players, About 15 min
- Crazy Eights2–6 players, About 10 min
- Sevens3–6 players, About 10 min
Same player count
Last updated 2026-09-14 · Run by Qdan, Inc.