Bleeding Hearts is another trick-taking game that is ideal for four players, though three or five can play. There is much argument on “traditional” vs. “modern” rules, so our rules might be a new variation for you! And we’re not saying the Queen of Spades is scary . . . but we still think it’s a great game for a Halloween gathering!
Download a copy of the rules or see them below
Game Type: Trick-Taking
Age: 13+
Players: 3, 4, 5+
Hearts is one of the greatest and most exciting card games ever devised for four players, each playing individually.
THE PACK
The standard 52-card pack is used. The rank of cards in Hearts is: A (high), K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (low).
OBJECT OF THE GAME
To be the player with the lowest score at the end of the game. When one player hits the agreed-upon score or higher (usually to 100), the game ends; and the player with the lowest score wins.
CARD VALUES/SCORING
At the end of each hand, players count the number of hearts they have taken as well as the Queen of spades, if applicable.
Each heart – 1 point
The Queen of spades– 13 points
The aggregate total of all scores for each hand– must be 26.
The game is usually played to 100 points (some play to 50).
When a player takes all 13 hearts and the queen of spades in one hand – “The Boodle” or “Shooting the Moon” – that player scores zero and each of his opponents score an additional 26 points.
THE DEAL
Determine the dealer by any agreed-upon method; cutting for deal, high or low, is a typical method.
The dealer deals the cards one at a time, face down, clockwise. In a four-player game, each is dealt 13 cards; in a three-player game, the 2 of diamonds should be removed, and each player gets 17 cards; in a five-player game, the 2 of diamonds and 2 of clubs should be removed so that each player will get 10 cards.
THE PLAY
The Pass:
Players pass three cards at the beginning of each hand as follows:
In four-player Hearts: Pass left / Pass right / Pass across
In three- or five-player Hearts: Pass left / Pass right / Keep what you were dealt
When the Pass is complete, the player to the dealer’s left leads. The player may lead any card except hearts in the first trick.
Each player must follow suit if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, a card of any other suit may be discarded. The highest card of the suit led wins a trick and the winner of that trick leads next. There is no trump suit. The queen does not have to be discarded at the first opportunity, and may be led at any time.
The winner of the trick collects it and places it face down.
Once the hand is complete, points are tallied (counting all hearts and the Queen of spades) for each player and added to the cumulative scores. If a player takes all the points – the queen and all 13 hearts; known as “The Boodle” or “Shooting the Moon”) – that player scores 0 and the other three players score 26.
The deal moves to the left.