Black Maria
A Hearts-family game with extra danger around spades and penalty cards.
Setup
Deal all cards. Pass cards according to the round rules.
How to Play
- Play tricks, following suit if possible.
- Avoid hearts and especially the queen of spades.
- Some variants add extra penalty cards.
- Lowest score wins.
How to Win
Lowest score when someone reaches the limit wins.
Count spades carefully before deciding whether the queen is safe.
Is Black Maria Right for You?
Black Maria is the British three-player relative of Hearts, where you avoid taking hearts and the dreaded Queen of Spades. Reach for it when exactly three players want a sharper, more cutthroat penalty-trick game than four-handed Hearts.
Maybe skip it if: It is built for three; squeezing in more players dilutes the careful card-counting it depends on.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the heavy spade penalties: the Ace, King, and Queen of Spades all cost points, not just the Queen.
- Passing cards carelessly to the wrong neighbor, since each player passes three cards in one direction at the start.
Strategy Tips
- Void a suit early so you can safely discard the Ace or King of Spades onto someone else's trick.
- Lead low spades to flush out the high penalty cards before they can be dumped on you.
Popular Variations
Spade Penalties
The classic British scoring charges 7 for the Ace of Spades, 10 for the King, and 13 for the Queen (Black Maria), atop one per heart.
Two-Direction Pass
Some house rules pass three cards to the right and receive from the left, adding a layer of defensive planning.
Our Take
We think Black Maria is the best way to play a Hearts-style game with three people, meaner and more tactical than the four-player original. It is our pick when an odd number gathers and wants real bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Black Maria?
Black Maria is the Queen of Spades, the most penalized card in the game, worth 13 points to whoever is stuck taking it.
How is Black Maria different from Hearts?
It is played by three with a stripped deck, and beyond the Queen of Spades the Ace and King of Spades also carry heavy penalties.