No Safety
Standard Hearts protects the first trick: nobody may play a heart or the queen of spades on it unless they have nothing else. No Safety removes that protection.
The rule
Section titled “The rule”On the first trick of each hand, hearts and the queen of spades are legal plays like any other card. If you cannot follow the lead, you may drop whatever you like.
Everything else stays the same:
- The opening lead is unchanged: the 2 of clubs (or the 3 of clubs at five players).
- A heart played on the first trick breaks hearts, exactly as it would on any other trick, so hearts may be led from the next trick on.
- Following suit is still required. The rule only matters to a player who is void in clubs on the first trick.
What it changes
Section titled “What it changes”The first trick stops being free. A player who passed away all their clubs can dump the queen of spades on trick one, and whoever wins it starts the hand with 13 points against them. That makes the pass more dangerous and voiding clubs more attractive.
Rated or casual?
Section titled “Rated or casual?”Casual. Games under No Safety never change anyone’s rating.