Editing Black Lady (section)

== Modern rules – Morehead (2001) ==
Glenn and Denton (2003) state that this version "is nearly universal in the United States." These rules are based on Morehead (2001), except where stated. The major differences are the rules on passing and the scoring scheme for ''shooting the moon'' which reflects the earliest rule by Phillips.{{sfn|Glenn|Denton|2003|p=93}}{{sfn|Morehead|2001|pp=}}{{sfn|Phillips|Westall|1939|pp=189/190}}

=== Preliminaries ===
Three to six may play, but the game is best for four. There are no partnerships and no trumps. The standard deck is used and an even distribution of cards is achieved by removing as many of the following as are needed: {{cards|2c}}, {{cards|2d}}, {{cards|3c}} and {{cards|2s}}. Cards rank in the normal order with Aces high. ''Alternative rule:'' any cards left over after the deal are put into a ''kitty'' and the winner of the first trick adds them to his or her tricks. Some rules allow the winner of the first trick to view the kitty as well.{{efn|This is known elsewhere as ''Heartsette''.}}{{sfn|Morehead|2001|pp=}}

Players cut for the deal, the player drawing the lowest card becoming the first dealer.{{sfn|Glenn|Denton|2003|p=93}} Cards are dealt clockwise beginning with eldest hand. After the deal each player selects three cards to discard and passes them to the left-hand neighbour. This must be done before viewing the cards received from the right.{{sfn|Morehead|2001|pp=}} ''Alternative rule:'' In the American version of this game, called American Hearts by Glenn and Denton, the cards are passed differently in successive deals. For the first deal, cards are passed to the left. For the second deal, cards are passed to the right. In the third deal, cards are passed across the table and in the fourth deal, players 'hold' i.e. do not pass any cards.{{sfn|Glenn|Denton|2003|p=93}}

=== Playing ===
Card play follows the normal rules: eldest hand leads to the first trick. Players must follow suit if able; otherwise, they may play a card from any suit. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick, and the trick winner leads to the next. ''Alternative rules:'' The player holding the {{cards|2c}} leads with that card. Some rules state that neither hearts nor the Black Lady may be led until the first heart has been discarded. According to Morehead, in club play, the player with the {{cards|Qs}} may be required to play it at the first opportunity by discarding or following a higher spade.{{sfn|Morehead|2001|pp=}}

An innovation in modern black lady is the ''take-all'' or ''shooting the moon'', whereby a player may aim to capture all the penalty cards; i.e., the black lady and all hearts. In this event the player scores zero, while each opponent scores twenty-six penalty points. In a failed attempt, penalty points are scored as normal.{{sfn|Glenn|Denton|2003|p=93}} Morehead gives the old scoring rule that no players score for the deal and the other alternative that the player who successfully shoots the moon scores twenty-six plus points.{{sfn|Morehead|2001|pp=}}

=== Scoring ===
Apart from shooting the moon, the usual scoring system is employed with players scoring one penalty point for each heart card taken and thirteen for taking the Black Lady.{{sfn|Glenn|Denton|2003|p=93}} Game is 100 points. When the first player reaches this score, the game stops and players settle their scores.{{sfn|Morehead|2001|pp=}}