2008 GRAND PRIX HEARTS - RULES / FORMAT

Please note that registration for the Main event is from 4:30PM - 6:30 PM on Friday. Round I will start promptly at 7:00 PM

Table assignments will be determined by random draw.

The Jack of Diamonds Variation will not apply. A game is played to 100 points or 15 hands, whichever comes first. The deck must be properly shuffled and offered for a "cut."

Players will always pass three cards (face-down). There are NO "keeper" or "hold" hands. The passing rotation is left-right-across (then repeat). The person with the Deuce of Clubs (after the pass) leads this card to start the play of the hand. No point card may be discarded on the first trick. The Queen of Spades "breaks" hearts. Hearts cannot be led until a point card has been played (or a player has nothing but point cards in his/her hand.) When anyone at the table "shoots" the moon, he/she must add the 26 points to the scores of the opponents, unless anyone at the table has 74 or more points. In that case, the points may (optional) be subtracted from the "shooter's" score. In the event that a player holds the Spade Queen and Hearts (and the Heart suit has not been "broken") said player may lead a Heart or the Spade Queen.

The score sheet must be signed (on its reverse side) by all four players in order to confirm the final results. After a round is completed, the scores at each table will be Match Pointed by position as follows:

First place: 6 Match points
Second place: 3 Match points
Third place: 2 Match points
Fourth place: 1 Match point

Players will then be assigned to a new table with 3 different opponents. This tournament will consist of 8 qualifying rounds (100 points each) and a multi-round playoff. (2 Semi Finals games and One Finals Game) The number of participants in the playoff will depend on the number of players in the field. Playoff positions are determined by highest total match point scores. The actual number of qualifiers will be based on the size of the field. In the event of ties with equal match point totals, the actual cumulative Hearts score will be used to break any ties. All playoff rounds are single elimination 125 point games (with 99 points as the "Moon" threshold subtraction limit).

IRREGULARITIES and PENALTIES

REVOKE (RENEGE):

A revoke is a failure to follow suit when possible
A 26 point penalty will applied to the score of anyone who revokes. A revoke may be corrected (penalty card) as long as the first card of the next trick is not led. Otherwise, the hand is voided. A Moon cannot be stopped by a Revoke.

LEAD OUT OF TURN:
The card played is a penalty card, and must be played at the first legal opportunity. Any prematurely played or exposed card has a penalty card application.

PREVIOUS TRICK REVIEW:
The previous trick may be examined, as long as the current trick (in play) does not consist of four cards.

PREMATURE LEAD OF A HEART:

A 5 point penalty is applied the offender's score.