Hearts can be played by 3 to 6 people, but most commonly (in my experience anyway) by 4. A regular 52 card deck is used. Each player gets 13 cards. The idea of the game is to NOT score points. Each heart is worth 1 point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points. In each round, the player holding the 2 of Clubs leads first.
The first hand, there is no passing. The next hand, you pass 3 cards of your choice from your hand to the player on your right. The hand after that you pass to your left and finally, you pass across the table. Then you go back to no pass, pass right, etc.
As each trick is played, you must, if possible, follow suit. If not, you can "throw off" or play a heart. You cannot lead hearts until they have been "broken" by someone playing them on another suit unless that is all you have.
If you feel you are really strong in hearts and can win all of them as well as the Queen of Spades, you can attempt to take all of them. If you succeed, you have "Shot the Moon" and the other players all get 26 points.
Once one player hits 100 points, the game is over and the player with the lowest score wins.
Personal History and Thoughts:
First learned this game on the job. Every break there would be a game going on. Now I play it in the Zone whenever I can. I met my best 'Net buddy there.
