How hearts scoring works
Hearts is an avoidance game: every heart you take costs a point, the queen of spades costs thirteen, and the lowest score wins once somebody reaches the limit.
Penalty cards: 26 points a hand
Each heart taken in a trick is worth 1 penalty point and the queen of spades is worth 13, so every hand hands out exactly 26 points between the players. That total is a useful check: if the points written down for a hand do not add up to 26, somebody miscounted.
Passing
Before each hand every player passes three cards. The standard four-player cycle is to the left, to the right, across, then a hand with no pass (a hold hand), and then it repeats. With three players the usual cycle is left then right, sometimes with a hold hand added. Some tables do not pass at all.
Shooting the moon
A player who takes all thirteen hearts and the queen of spades has shot the moon. Instead of taking 26, the standard rule gives every other player 26. A common variation lets the shooter take 26 off their own score instead, and some tables let the shooter choose whichever helps more.
The end of the game
The game ends when any player reaches 100 points, and the player with the lowest total wins. Some tables play to 50 for a shorter game. If two players tie for the lowest score, most tables play another hand; some share the win.
The jack of diamonds
In Omnibus Hearts the player who takes the jack of diamonds subtracts 10 points. It is the one card you want to win, and it changes the arithmetic: the hand still carries 26 penalty points, and the jack takes 10 off whoever wins it.
Three to six players
Hearts is best with four, but it plays with three to six. For other table sizes a few low cards, never hearts or the queen of spades, are taken out so the deck deals evenly, which means each hand still carries 26 points.
What Score All does with these rules
Points per hand, checked to 26
Every heart is 1 point and the queen of spades is 13, so each hand holds 26. Enter what each player took; the app will not score a hand that does not add up, which catches most slips before they reach the totals.
Shooting the moon
If one player takes every heart and the queen, pick them under Shot the moon instead of typing 26. Your table sets the rule: everyone else takes 26, the shooter takes 26 off their own score, or the shooter chooses each time.
The pass on the console
The console shows the pass for the coming hand: left, right, across, then a hold hand, or a shorter cycle if your table plays one. Across only exists with four players, so with other table sizes the app skips it.
Ending the game
The game ends when anyone reaches the limit (100 by default, 50 for a short game) and the lowest total wins. If two players tie for lowest you can keep playing until one is clear, or share the win.
Standings for the whole table
Three to six players, running totals after every hand, the dealer named for the next deal, and a live link or TV display with the standings. Tap an earlier hand to fix it and everything after it adds up again.
Hearts scoring FAQ
How many points is the queen of spades in hearts?
13. Each heart is 1, so a full hand is worth 26 points in total.
What happens when you shoot the moon in hearts?
Under the standard rule every other player takes 26 and the shooter takes nothing. Some tables let the shooter subtract 26 from their own score instead.
What score does hearts end at?
Usually 100. The game ends when anyone reaches it, and the lowest total wins.
Does the highest or lowest score win in hearts?
The lowest. Points in hearts are penalties.
Is there a free hearts score keeper?
Yes. Score All keeps the hearts score sheet for free on any phone, with moon shots, the pass direction and a live standings link.
Does it support Omnibus Hearts?
Yes. Turn on the jack of diamonds rule and pick who took the jack each hand; that player gets 10 taken off.
How many players can play hearts in the app?
Three to six, each for themselves. Four is the standard game.