How to Manage the Spades Suit in Hearts

Hearts is one of the classic card games that evolved from the Spanish game "Reversis" (circa 1750). The modern version has American roots from the Colonial days. Most of us are exposed to Hearts during our childhood or college. This is an easy game to learn, yet a difficult one to master.



I am assuming that you are already familiar with the basics of the game. Keep in mind that the Spade suit is very critical, as the Queen of Spades is a powerful card; she has a dual identity as a member of the Spade suit and a point card. Familiarity with strategy and technique is essential if you want to become a skilled player. In this article we will focus in detail on the Spades suit with all of its nuances--we will review the importance of managing the Queen of Spades and how to use this card as a "weapon" against your opponents!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A well-lit and ventilated room
• A card-sized table
• A standard deck of playing cards
• Four players

1. COUNT THE SPADES
   
   The Spade Queen is one of 13 cards in that suit. If you are to become a superior Hearts player you MUST remember every Spade that has been played during the course of a hand. Sometimes the deuce of Spades will provide an exit at the end of a hand. This is especially true if you hold the Queen after the pass or if you have length in Spades. On some occasions you may have the opportunity to lead the Queen (always a dramatic play) and catch or "spear" a singleton Ace or King in an opponent's hand!

2. PASSING
   
   After the deal is completed, check your Spades suit first. If you hold the dreaded Queen, you may keep her if you have at least FOUR other accompanying Spades. If you have three or fewer Spades "guards" with the Queen you should pass her along (some players will hold on to her if the three accompanying Spades are of higher rank). A Queen is only 3 guard cards and is vulnerable to Spade leads. Never pass the Queen and the Ace of Spades or the Queen and the King of Spades (together) to the RIGHT. In this situation pass the Queeen only. Your Ace or King are safe here.

3. "THE BIG BOYS"
   
   The other key Spades are the Ace and the King. Although either is great to have WITH a protected Queen, there is a problem when hold (after the pass) one of these high cards without the Queen in your hand. If you are dealt the Spade, Ace or King, pass it along if you have fewer than three accompanying smaller Spades. Do not keep Ace or King with two guards, especially if you have a balanced hand.

4. PLAYING THE HAND
   
   The pass has been completed. Assuming that you are not trying for a "Moon," your mission path will follow one of these roads: (a) You do not hold the Queen or a weakly guarded Ace or King. Your job is to start "smoking out" the Queen, preferably with a high Spade such as the Jack, ten or nine. (b) If you hold the Queen, you will want to eliminate a short Club or Diamond suit from your hand in order to "dump" her ASAP. Another consideration is if you hold a long Spade suit with the Queen, be sure to "Strip" the opponent's Spades before exiting from the lead (watch the Spades that fall).

5. "LOW MAN" STRATEGY
   
   Good players work together as a team and are always aware of the score. Call it temporary "collusion" or "partnership" play--it is all part of the game. If you are the player with the low score you want to end the game and should aim for the player who is on the verge of going over 100 points. On the other hand, if you are not in first position you don't want to be driving out the Queen; it will force the opponent who is sitting in fourth place out of the game while you become second or third place! And finally, you want to protect the "high" player until you drop into the "low" scoring position! In the meantime, aim for the low man if you can do it SAFELY.

6. "KEEPER" OR "HOLD" HANDS
   
   In most "live" games and Internet Hearts sites, the fourth hand is designated as a "Hold" hand. There is no passing of cards. This changes the game dramatically. Suits tend to "break" more evenly and it is difficult to "Shoot the Moon." The same strategies apply. You will want to look at the score and plan your play. Remember, you can probably get away with leading two rounds of a side suit in order to strip that suit from your hand.

7. THE "GIVEWAY"
   
   The player who wins the first trick with a high club will usually make one of two plays: a Spade or a side suit (Diamond or Club) lead. If he drives Spades, then he is looking to smoke out the Queen. If he leads an off suit, he has possible Spade problems. Then again, he could be holding a nice guarded Queen and is trying to strip out a side suit. (Hearts are not considered a "side suit" early in the play of a hand).

Tips & Warnings

• After you have learned to count Spades, try another suit (Hearts is best; each Heart counts as one point against you).
• Unless you are winning the game, aim for the "Low Man."
• Size up or evaluate the opposition before forming any "temporary" partnerships or alliances.
• If a player who wins the first trick does not lead Spades, he/she may have a problem with that suit (a "weak" Queen or problematic high Spades).
• Be leery of any player who passes you low cards or low Spades. He may be setting up for the "Moon."