How to Shoot the Moon in Hearts

Hearts is one of the original classic card games. It evolved from its roots ("Reverse" in the mid 1700s) to the the modern game. The "Moon" became part of Hearts after the turn of the 20th century. For those who are new players, the "Moon" is the term which applies when one person, during the course of a hand, takes all of the Hearts and the Spade Queen. The risk can be high, and reward is great--26 points added to your opponents' scores! (Some groups or sites allow the "Shooter" to have the option of adding OR subtracting the 26 points.) In this tutorial I will assume that you are familiar with the basics of the game and outline the steps for Shooting the Moon.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A well-lit and ventilated room
• A card sized table
• 2 decks of standard playing cards
• Pens/pencils and score sheets
• 4 enthusiastic players !

1. THE STANDARD GAME
   
   
   
   Most groups play Hearts with the following Rules:
   
   
   
   a. After the deal, three cards are passed by each player in the following rotation: Left, Right, Across.
   
   b. There is an optional "hold" or keeper hand every fourth deal.
   
   c. The deuce of clubs is the opening lead, and no Heart or the Spade Queen may be discarded to the first trick of the hand.
   
   d. The Spade Queen (if played) "breaks" Hearts.
   
   e. Taking all 13 Hearts and the Spade Queen is "Shooting The Moon."
   
   f. The Jack of Diamonds is an option, and not usually preferred.

2. THE MOON ("OFF THE TOP")
   
   
   
   If you pick up your hand and reveal a massive Hearts suit with great length AND the top cards (A, K, Q, J, etc), you have an excellent chance for "the Moon", should you capture the spade Queen (or you have her in your hand). Because the Spade Queen "breaks" Hearts, you will now be able to cash out the Hearts. Because Heart suit is long and strong enough, your hand becomes virtual laydown, as the defense can do nothing. Only an extreme Hearts "stack" in another hand will defeat you!

3. MORE ON THE HEARTS SUIT (AFTER THE PASS)
   
   
   
   If you are missing a key top Heart (the Ace, King or Queen) your chances for a Moon are very low, unless you have the singleton Ace. The only other hope is an errant or greedy discard of a high Heart by an opponent on a side suit by an opponent. Of course, there are selfish opponents who may "duck and dump" their potential stoppers and give you a gift wrapped Moon! Many Moons are made by mutual cooperation of inexperienced players.

4. HEART LENGTH
   
   
   
   If you hold more than three low or middle Hearts after the deal and you are missing key top cards (the Ace is a must), give up any notion of a Moon. (You can pass only three cards and will be stranded with a loser.)

5. STOPPING A MOON
   
   
   
   What is the price of stopping an opponent's Moon? It depends on the score and your position in the game. If you are winning the game by a comfortable margin you can afford to let that opponent make his Moon. On the other side of the coin, you don't want to stop a Shoot and get burned for 20 points and drop two places. If you are in fourth place and stopping a Moon will end the game for you, that is a bad decision. The score is the key factor.

6. COUNTING AND TRACKING
   
   
   
   It is absolutely essential to count those suits which are relevant to your hand. This is particularly important if you are trying to establish a side suit. If you do not hold the Spade Queen, a careless count may land "her Royal Majesty" in your pile of tricks! Make an effort to remember which high and/or middle cards have been played.

7. DEFENSE AGAINST THE MOON
   
   
   
   There are plays which can prevent enemy Moons. One common maneuver is discarding a Heart on more than one opponent. This is called "splitting" the Hearts and the instant Moon "antidote." Another technique is to play a middle Heart if you are on lead and the potential "Shooter" has already taken the Spade Queen and is trying to knock out a key card in a Diamond or Club suit.

8. PASS A LOW HEART
   
   
   
   One of the most effective defenses against Moons is to pass a low or middle Heart. You will know that this player who is receiving your pass has the Heart which you sent over to him. Should he take the Spade Queen, you will have him stopped. Do not pass the Ace or King of Hearts, as this may provide the opportunity an opponent may need. DO "cover" your pass, as ducking may prove to be fatal--and will incur the wrath of the opponents.

9. BE SUBTLE
   
   
   
   If you are contemplating a Moon, don't make obvious discards such as the Three of Clubs or Deuce of Diamonds on the first leads of those respective suits. Try discarding a middle card if you can spare it. That low Club or Diamond may also provide passage out of the hand if you need an escape card after trick #10 or #11.

10. 
    The Moon Is Setting

    SPADE WORRIES/HEART EXIT
    
    
    
    If you are void of Hearts after the pass and your hand contains two or three low Spades, you must get rid of this suit ASAP. Remember, the Spade Queen can stop the Moon! If you are passed a middle Heart, and this is the only Heart you hold, this card will be an "exit" from the hand after you strip any side suits. Always be leery of eliminating side suits if you do not hold the Spade Queen.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider a Moon attempt only if your hand has the right texture.
• The Queen of Spades in your hand allows a lot more flexibility.
• If possible, pass a middle Heart--it will discourage Moons.
• Count suits which are relevant to your hand. Track high cards played.
• "Splitting" the Heart suit by discarding Hearts on two different opponents will kill any Moon attempts--on the spot!
• Do not go for the Moon if you have a losing Heart after the pass.
• Do not make obvious plays, such as the Club three on the opening trick.
• Do not duck the Heart which you passed to somebody; they lead it after they take the Spade Queen on a previous trick.
• Do not try for a Moon if your key missing high card remains outstanding.