How many points is the Queen of Spades worth in Hearts?
The Queen of Spades (Q♠) is worth 13 points in standard Hearts. If you want to see it in action, head back to the Hearts game.
Penalty card table
| Card | Points | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Q♠ | 13 | One card can equal all Hearts in a hand. |
| Each ♥ | 1 | There are 13 hearts total. |
Why the Queen of Spades is so dangerous
- It’s a large point spike (13) that can swing the whole round.
- It’s easy to get trapped holding it after Spades are drained.
- It changes how people lead Spades and discard off-suit.
Common ways players try to “dump” Q♠
Players often try to void a suit so they can discard Q♠ when that suit is led. Passing also matters—see Hearts passing directions.
Quick ways to avoid taking Q♠
| Tactic | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Pass high Spades | Reduces the chance you win a Spade trick at the wrong time. |
| Create a void suit | Lets you discard Q♠ safely when that suit is led. |
| Track who is out of Spades | Helps predict when Q♠ might be “dropped”. |
The exact best play depends on whether hearts are broken and whether someone is attempting shooting the moon.
Related Hearts FAQ pages
Need a quick definition? See the Hearts glossary.
- How long does a Hearts game take?
- Is Hearts skill or luck?
- Can you play Hearts with 2 or 3 players?
- Full scoring rules (points table)
- Breaking hearts rule
- Shooting the moon (26-point sweep)
- Who leads first trick?
- Win rate percentage and skill
- Play without downloading
- Is Hearts free?
- How many cards are in Hearts?
- Passing directions and strategy
Back to gameplay: Hearts.