# Hearts

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1850
- **BGG Rating**: 6.5
- **BGG Rank**: #2238
- **Players**: 3-7 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 30 min
- **Weight**: 1.74 / 5
- **Designers**: (Uncredited)
- **Artists**: Marjorie Priceman, Matt Hessler
- **Publishers**: (Public Domain), (Unknown), Briarpatch, Buffalo Games, Built-Rite, Creative Child Games, E. E. Fairchild Corporation, eeBoo, Excalibur Electronics, F.X. Schmid, Fundex, General Mills, Hallmark Games, Hoyle Products, International Games, JA-RU Inc., Oriental Trading Company, Russell Manufacturing Company, ThinkFun, The United States Playing Card Company, Western Publishing Company, Whitman, Whitman Golden Ltd., Winning Moves Games (USA)
- **Categories**: Card Game
- **Mechanics**: Score-and-Reset Game, Take That, Trick-taking, Turn Order: Stat-Based

## Verdict
If you love a card duel where the lowest score wins, Hearts will hook you instantly.Simple, fast rulesHigh replay valueConstant player interactionMemory‑intensiveCan stretch with larger groupsRECOMMENDED

## Description
Hearts, also known as Copas, is a classic trick‑taking game played with a standard 52‑card deck and no trump suits. At the start, all cards are dealt to 3‑7 players, who then try to avoid taking hearts—each worth one point—and the dreaded Queen of Spades, worth thirteen points. The main goal is to finish the match with the lowest total score after several rounds. 

Gameplay is straightforward: the player left of the dealer leads the first trick, and everyone follows clockwise, attempting to beat the lead card. The winner of the trick collects the cards; if any hearts or the Queen of Spades are among them, the corresponding penalty points are added to that player’s score. A fun twist is the "shoot the moon" maneuver, where a player captures all hearts and the Queen in a single round. Depending on the house rule, the shooter can either add 26 points to each opponent or subtract 26 from his own total. 

Hearts blends memory (recalling which cards have been played), risk management (deciding when to gamble on taking bad cards), and classic take‑that interaction, as forcing an opponent to collect points directly penalizes them. Turn order is stat‑based: the trick winner leads the next round, so the sequence shifts according to who is currently ahead. 

Rounds typically last 20‑30 minutes, making Hearts a quick yet engaging filler, while still sparking heated debates over who should attempt a moon shot. It’s perfect for groups that enjoy traditional card games with a competitive edge and a dash of humor. If you love trick‑taking without trumps and the thrill of watching opponents pile up unwanted points, Hearts will win you over fast.

## FAQ
### How many players can join?
From 3 up to 7 players, with 4‑5 being the sweet spot for balanced games.

### What’s the typical play time?
About 20‑30 minutes per game, varying with player count.

### How complex is the game?
Low to medium – rules are straightforward, but good memory and strategy add depth.

### Do I need any special components?
Just a standard 52‑card deck; jokers are included in most decks but aren’t used.

### Is it suitable for beginners?
Absolutely, the basics are easy to pick up, though mastering the "shoot the moon" tactic takes practice.

### Are there official variants?
Yes, the common variant lets you "shoot the moon" and some groups tweak scoring or card‑passing rules.

### Can I play it online?
Sure thing – Hearts is available on Board Game Arena, Tabletopia and VASSAL.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 1.95 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=150518&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 6.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6437914&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/10616/hearts?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com