Microsoft's take on the classic trick-taking card game has finally made its way to PC users with Microsoft Hearts Card Game Free! This exciting and engaging title promises hours upon hours of fun for four players looking to test their strategic skills against artificial intelligence.

In this article, we'll dive into everything you need to know about playing Microsoft Hearts Card Game on your Windows computer. From the rules of play through how to improve your chances of winning big time – so grab those virtual cards and let's get started!

What is Microsoft Hearts?

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Microsoft Hearts is a popular card game that has been enjoyed by millions around the world for decades. The objective remains simple: be the last player standing with zero points in your pocket.

Gameplay Overview

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Before we dive into more detailed rules, here's an overview of how to play:

1. Start by dealing out 13 cards to each player (either human or AI). Players can then discard up to three unwanted cards face down on top of a pile called the 'discard heap'.

2. The remaining players now take turns in clockwise order; starting from the leftmost position (East), then moving counterclockwise around the table until only one card remains.

3. During your turn, you'll have two main options:

* Play a single card face up onto an existing pile that matches either suit or rank with the topmost card already played.

* Pass - If no legal plays are available, simply pass and skip your entire round without penalty!

4. The player who takes all remaining cards after everyone has had their turn(s) scores points based on which suits were collected during gameplay (more below).

Key Gameplay Mechanics

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### Suit Strategy

In Hearts, there are four suit ranks: hearts (- lowest), diamonds , clubs and spades . A key strategic aspect is trying to avoid taking tricks containing hearts whenever possible since doing so will cost you points! Conversely, capturing as many spade tricks as possible will earn bonus rewards.

### Scoring Points

- Each trick won by a player not holding the heart suit or Queen of Spades awards zero (0) points.

- However, if someone manages to take all four hearts in one round OR holds both the Ace AND King Of Clubs together at endgame then they'll receive an extra 100 bonus points!

### Special Situations

Here are some additional scenarios you should be aware of:

* If two or more players tie for lowest score after completing all rounds, any unearned point money is split equally among them.

* In cases where three (or four) Aces appear in the same suit during play - Jack must pay double!

Tips & Tricks to Win

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While luck plays a significant role in Hearts, mastering these tips and strategies will certainly give you an edge over your opponents:

1. Pay attention: Keep track of who has which cards at all times.

2. Block carefully: Think ahead about which moves might prevent others from scoring big points later down the line!

3. 'Passive' play can sometimes be best; don't feel pressured to always make a move if it doesn't suit your interests.

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Microsoft Hearts Card Game Free offers an exciting and challenging experience for fans of classic trick-taking card games on Windows computers everywhere! With its simple yet strategic gameplay mechanics combined with the added bonus of competing against AI opponents, this title promises hours upon hours of entertainment fun galore. So gather some friends (or family members), shuffle those virtual cards up tight – let's see who'll come out victorious in Microsoft Hearts today!

Recommended System Requirements

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- Operating system: Windows 10 or higher

- Processor: Intel Core i3-2GHz/AMD Athlon II X4 260K GHz+ processor

- RAM: 1 GB of free hard drive space

Microsoft hearts card game free