Hearts Variants

Popular Hearts Variations

Hearts has inspired many variants over the years, each adding unique twists to the classic game. From bonus cards to team play, these variations keep the game fresh and offer new strategic challenges. Here are the most popular variants played around the world.

Omnibus Hearts

Omnibus Hearts adds a positive-scoring card to the standard game: the Jack of Diamonds (sometimes the 10 of Diamonds) is worth −10 points, meaning the player who captures it subtracts 10 from their score.

Key Differences

• The Jack of Diamonds is worth −10 points (reduces your score)
• All other scoring remains the same: hearts are 1 point each, Queen of Spades is 13 points
• To shoot the moon, a player must capture all hearts, the Queen of Spades, and the Jack of Diamonds
• Diamond strategy becomes important—players may actively seek to win tricks containing the Jack of Diamonds

Omnibus Hearts adds an interesting tension: instead of purely avoiding tricks, players must sometimes compete for a valuable card, creating more dynamic gameplay.

Black Maria

Black Maria is a British variant that predates the modern American version of Hearts. It is traditionally played by three players, though four-player versions exist.

Key Differences

• Three players with the 2 of Clubs removed (17 cards each)
• Additional penalty cards: the Ace of Spades is worth 7 points and the King of Spades is worth 10 points, in addition to the Queen of Spades at 13 points
• Hearts are worth their face value (Ace = 14, King = 13, etc.) rather than 1 point each
• No shooting the moon in traditional Black Maria rules
• Each player passes three cards to the right before play begins (no rotating pass direction)

The higher penalty values for spade face cards and variable-value hearts make Black Maria a more punishing game where a single bad trick can be devastating.

Cancellation Hearts

Cancellation Hearts is designed for larger groups, typically 5 to 8 players, using two standard decks shuffled together (104 cards).

Key Differences

• Two full decks are used (104 cards total)
• When two cards of identical rank and suit are played in the same trick, they cancel each other out and neither can win the trick
• If all cards of the led suit are cancelled, the trick is set aside and its penalty points carry over to the next trick
• There are two Queens of Spades (26 potential Queen penalty points) and 26 hearts (26 heart penalty points)
• Maximum possible penalty per round is 52 points

The cancellation mechanic creates unexpected outcomes and makes card counting significantly harder. The doubled deck also means more total penalty points are in play.

Partnership Hearts

In Partnership Hearts, the four players form two teams of two, with partners sitting across from each other.

Key Differences

• Players sitting opposite each other are partners
• Each team's penalty points are combined into a single score
• Partners can coordinate strategy, such as one player deliberately taking a trick to protect their partner
• Communication between partners must be limited to the cards they play (no verbal signals)
• The game ends when either team reaches the point threshold

Partnership play adds a cooperative dimension to Hearts. Strong partners learn to read each other's plays and coordinate passing and trick-taking strategies.

Spot Hearts

Spot Hearts changes the scoring so that each heart card is worth its face value instead of a flat 1 point.

Scoring

• Number cards (2–10): face value in points
• Jack of Hearts: 11 points
• Queen of Hearts: 12 points
• King of Hearts: 13 points
• Ace of Hearts: 14 points
• Queen of Spades: 25 points

With hearts totaling 104 points per round (plus 25 for the Queen of Spades), Spot Hearts is a much faster game. High hearts become far more dangerous, and the Ace of Hearts in particular is a card to avoid at all costs.

Joker Hearts

This variant adds one or two jokers to the deck, introducing a wild-card element to the game.

Common Joker Rules

• The joker counts as the highest heart (above the Ace of Hearts) and is worth 5 penalty points
• A joker can be played at any time, regardless of the suit led, but it does not win the trick unless hearts were led
• When two jokers are used, one may be designated as a bonus card worth −5 points
• To accommodate the extra card(s), the 2 of Clubs and/or 2 of Diamonds may be removed

Three-Player Hearts

When only three players are available, the game can be adapted with minor modifications.

Common Adaptations

• Remove the 2 of Diamonds so the deck divides evenly (17 cards each)
• Passing is simplified: alternate between passing left and passing right, or pass left, right, then hold
• All other rules remain the same
• Some groups create a “dummy hand” of 13 cards that is played face-up, similar to dummy in Bridge