Play Hearts For Real Money With Bonus
Hearts Casino Game
Together with Bridge, Spades, and various other popular games, Hearts is part of the family of card games known for their “trick-taking” element. This category is characterized by rules that heavily emphasize suits and trumps, typically involving four players (though three or five can play, the games are ideally designed for four), with each player laying down one card at a time in successive rounds.
Among these games, Hearts stands out as one of the easiest to grasp and enjoy. However, this doesn’t mean it lacks strategic depth: a skilled player still holds a significant advantage over inexperienced rivals, and tough decisions arise with each play. Yet, the simple scoring rules and clear gameplay make it an ideal introduction to this type of card game. Moreover, it seamlessly fits into Spigo’s lineup, offering a nice mix of skill, luck, and entertainment value that caters to the preferences of casual players.
Follow the Queen
Spigo provides both play money Hearts games, allowing you to practice against computer opponents or real players, and real money games for competitive play against other gamblers on the platform. You can opt for a full game up to 100 points or a single round – the former being more skill-oriented than the latter. When ready to start, simply click the start game button to enter the main game area.
In Hearts, each player receives 13 cards from a standard 52-card deck. Spigo supports only the four-player version of the game; while three-player variations exist, we focus on the standard four-player setup here. Each player keeps their cards hidden from others at all times. Every player competes independently; unlike in Bridge or other trick-taking games, there are no partnerships.
At the beginning of the first deal, you select three cards to pass to the player on your left. This card passing occurs among all players, so you receive three cards in return to maintain a 13-card hand. The passing direction changes in subsequent rounds: right on the second round, across the table on the third, and no passing on the fourth. The cycle repeats, with passing to the left and alternating directions until the game ends.
Once all players have their final hands, gameplay commences. Each deal starts with the player holding the two of clubs making the first move (handled automatically in the Spigo version). Play proceeds in a clockwise manner, requiring each player to play a card.
Players typically must follow suit if possible, playing a card of the same suit as the leading card. If a player lacks a suitable card, any card may be played. An exception is the first trick, where playing the queen of spades or any heart is prohibited.
After all cards are played in a trick, the highest card of the leading suit wins, collecting all the cards. The trick winner starts the next round with any card of their choice. Similar rules apply, with the exception that hearts cannot be played until a heart has been played in a prior trick. The winning player gathers the cards from each trick and leads the subsequent one.
This sequence continues through 13 tricks, after which all cards are played. Players are then scored based on the cards they hold. Hearts are worth one point each, with the queen of spades valued at 13 points.
While holding these scoring cards is detrimental, as the aim is to avoid points in Hearts, the game ends when a player accumulates at least 100 points after a round. The player with the lowest score wins in Spigo’s real money games, receiving the stake amount minus a small rake.
There is a strategic advantage in collecting all hearts and the queen of spades, known as “shooting the moon.” Achieving this awards 26 points to each opponent and no points to the successful player, making it a powerful tactic if executed successfully.
Playing to Win
Hearts demands strategic decision-making at various points during a round. One crucial decision involves passing cards to an opponent.
Several rules of thumb can enhance your passing strategy. Dealing with spades, especially the high-scoring queen, is critical. Retaining all jacks and lower cards is advisable for defensive purposes, providing extra spades if you receive the queen.
Deciding on higher spades is more nuanced. It often makes sense to pass the king or ace if you lack the queen to avoid the risk of acquiring it. However, having numerous spades mitigates this risk. Holding the queen alongside several other spades lessens the danger of holding high spades.
The queen’s value depends on your hand composition. If you possess numerous spades and few cards in another suit, it’s safe to keep the queen for a strategic play. Conversely, if you risk being left with just the queen, passing it early is preferred to minimize risks.
Another effective strategy is to eliminate all clubs or diamonds from your hand. This simplifies discarding unwanted spades or hearts when a trick in your empty-suited hand is played. For clubs specifically, reducing your hand to one card increases the likelihood of quickly disposing of it since clubs must always be played in that suit.
The passing phase is also when you might consider aiming to shoot the moon. Discarding your low cards with a hand strong in high cards and devoid of hearts, or containing all high hearts (queen, king, and ace), can position you for a win in every trick. While revealing your plan to the recipient is a risk, a formidable hand can outweigh this concern.
While passing strategy is vital, in-game interactions add complexity. Generally, discarding high cards early is advisable to avoid accumulating points later. Players often discard high clubs or diamonds to clear suits entirely, and removing the king or ace of spades when safe is a priority.
Though avoiding the queen of spades is essential, sometimes accepting a point or two is strategic, primarily due to shooting the moon’s potential impact. Holding onto high cards other than spades, especially in other suits, can disrupt opponents attempting a moon shot. While shooting the moon is possible at any skill level, inexperienced players are more prone to attempting it, sometimes missing cues of an opponent’s attempt until it’s too late. Conversely, these novices might skip attempting such a play altogether.
Experience plays a crucial role in improving your Hearts skills. Familiarizing yourself with opponents’ tendencies and pass patterns through repeated plays can provide insights for better decision-making. Understanding opponents’ habits and strategies enhances your gameplay, guiding you to make informed decisions and identify potential risks.
Considering its Spigo presentation, each game offers a chance at winning a jackpot reward. By not accruing points for all 13 tricks in the initial round, players can fill their jackpot meters. Completing this without scoring a point or shooting the moon triggers the jackpot draw. The jackpot prize amount is displayed above the chat area on the right side of the screen, with smaller prizes available as well. Failing to win a prize is also plausible in this game format.
A Timeless Classic for Fun or Profit
Hearts remains a sought-after card game for friends seeking a simple yet strategic game that offers quick, enjoyable gameplay. Its easy-to-learn nature allows anyone to participate and feel competitive, even if not securing a victory. In the Spigo version, the online adaptation maintains the game’s rapid, entertaining action, with the added thrill of playing for real money. Betting a few euros or other currency on game outcomes adds excitement, enhancing the timeless classic with a modern twist. The relaxed pace of play ensures that you can enjoy numerous engaging sessions challenging friends and unknown players without needing a high budget.
