Most modern games use a four-hand cycle: left, right, across, then no pass. After that, the pattern repeats.
Hearts passing directions
Passing cycle
| Hand | Direction | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Left | Pass to the player on your left. |
| 2 | Right | Pass to the player on your right. |
| 3 | Across | Pass to the opposite player. |
| 4 | No pass | Keep what you were dealt. |
What players usually pass
- High spades, especially support cards around the Queen.
- High hearts that are likely to win late tricks.
- High cards in a suit you want to void entirely.
Why the direction matters
Passing direction changes who receives your danger cards and who might be setting traps for you. Across passes often feel sharper because they are harder to read, while no-pass hands reward cleaner risk management.
Related Hearts FAQ pages
Need a quick definition first? See the Hearts glossary.
- How many points is the Queen of Spades worth in Hearts?
- What is shooting the moon in Hearts?
- Hearts scoring rules
- How do you break Hearts?
- Is Hearts skill or luck?
- Who leads the first trick in Hearts?
Back to the table: Play Hearts Online.