Hearts vs. Spades
Comparing 2 standards across 17 specifications. 15 key differences identified.
Hearts is an evasion-style trick-taking card game for 4 individual players where the objective is to avoid scoring penalty points. Each Heart card taken in tricks counts as 1 penalty point, and the Queen of Spades counts as 13 penalty points. If a single player takes all 26 penalty points in one hand ('Shoots the Moon'), all opponents receive 26 points instead.
Spades is a standard 4-player partnership trick-taking card game where Spades are permanently the trump suit. Players simultaneously bid the exact number of tricks they expect to win. Bidding Nil awards a +100 point bonus (or -100 penalty), while taking extra tricks beyond the bid accumulates 'bags', triggering a 100-point penalty for every 10 bags.
Specification Comparison Table
17 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Total Players
|
4 individual play | 4 in 2 fixed partnerships |
|
Deck Size
|
52 cards (13 dealt per player) | 52 cards (13 dealt per player) |
|
Hearts Penalty Value
|
1 point per Heart card (13 total) | — |
|
Queen of Spades Value
|
13 penalty points (Black Maria) | — |
|
Total Points Per Hand
|
26 penalty points | — |
|
Shooting the Moon Bonus
|
0 pts (or -26) to shooter, +26 to all opponents | — |
|
Game Ending Threshold
|
100 points (lowest score wins) | — |
|
Passing Rotation (4 Rounds)
|
Left -> Right -> Across -> No Passing | — |
|
Opening Lead Card
|
2 of Clubs (2♣) mandatory first lead | — |
|
Permanent Trump Suit
|
— | Spades (♠) always trumps other suits |
|
Rank of Cards
|
— | Ace (High) to 2 (Low) |
|
Standard Winning Score
|
— | 500 points |
|
Contract Trick Points
|
— | 10 points per bid trick won |
|
Overtrick (Bag) Points
|
— | 1 point per extra trick |
|
10-Bag Penalty
|
— | -100 points deducted at 10 bags |
|
Nil Bid Bonus / Penalty
|
— | +100 / -100 points (0 tricks won) |
|
Blind Nil Bonus / Penalty
|
— | +200 / -200 points (bid before looking) |