Definition

Noun 1. A card game: A specific trick-taking card game for four players, where the primary objective is to avoid winning certain penalty cards (hearts and the Queen of Spades).

Usage

• The word "hearts" is used as a singular noun when referring to the game itself. It is typically preceded by an article or determiner.
• Example: "Hearts is a popular game in many countries."
• Example: "Let's play a game of hearts."

Examples

• "We spent the evening playing hearts."
• "In hearts, the goal is to have the lowest score."
• "Do you know the rules for hearts?"

Advanced Usage

• "Shoot the moon": A high-risk, high-reward strategy in the game of hearts where a player attempts to win the penalty cards (all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades). If successful, that player scores zero points while all other players receive a large penalty.
  • Example: "I had a strong hand, so I decided to try and shoot the moon."

Variants and Related Words

• Heart (noun): One of the four suits in a standard deck of playing cards, denoted by a red heart symbol (♥). This is the singular form from which the game's name is derived.
  • Example: "I have the Ace of hearts."
• Black Maria: Another name for the Queen of Spades, the most valuable penalty card in the game of hearts.

Synonyms

• Card game: A general term for any game played with playing cards.
• Trick-taking game: A category of card games where players compete to win rounds (tricks). Hearts belongs to this category.

Notes on Different Meanings

• Important Distinction: This entry is specifically for the card game "hearts." The word "hearts" has other common meanings as the plural of "heart" (the organ, the symbol of love, courage, or the center of something). The context will always clarify the intended meaning.
  • Example (Organ): "Our hearts beat faster during exercise."
  • Example (Game): "I won the last hand in hearts."

Noun

1. a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades