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    The Moonshot

    Normally you avoid points. But there's an exception: if you can capture ALL the points (every heart + Q♠), you 'shoot the moon' and the scoring reverses completely!

    Learn and Practice Shooting the Moon in Hearts

    More Detail

    Shooting the Moon is a special play where one player captures ALL 26 points in a single round (all 13 hearts + the Queen of Spades). Instead of receiving 26 points, that player gets 0 and EVERY other player receives 26 points! It's a complete reversal that can swing the entire game.

    Why This Matters

    Knowing about Shooting the Moon helps you both attempt it when you have a monster hand AND defend against opponents trying it. If you see someone collecting lots of hearts without complaint, they might be shooting - and you need to stop them!

    Key Rules to Remember

    • Capture all 13 hearts AND the Queen of Spades to shoot the moon
    • Successful moon: You get 0, everyone else gets 26
    • If you miss even ONE point card, you take all the points you collected
    • Stop a moon attempt by taking just one heart

    Common Mistake

    Continuing a moon attempt when it's clearly failing. If an opponent takes even one heart, abandon the attempt and minimize your point intake.

    Frequently Asked Questions