Trick-taking games

Compare Hearts, Spades, and Tarneeb

Trick-taking games share a basic rhythm: one player leads, everyone follows suit when possible, and one card wins the trick. Their goals are very different—avoid points in Hearts, make contracts in Spades, or win an auction and name trump in Tarneeb.

Cardems

Choose a trick-taking game

HeartsTrick-TakingAvoid the penalty cards and outplay every trick.View rules and strategy

SpadesTrick-TakingBid with purpose, follow the lead, and make your contract count.View rules and strategy

TarneebTrick-TakingChoose trump, bid smartly, and win tricks with your partner.View rules and strategy

Trick-taking games

Rules at a glance

The biggest differences are partnerships, bidding, trump, and whether taking a trick helps or hurts.

Game	Players	Main decision	Best for
Hearts	4	Avoid point cards	Free-for-all risk management
Spades	4	Bid and make a team contract	Partnership bidding
Tarneeb	4	Win the auction and choose trump	Partnership trick strategy