The AI for the other three players can often be pretty lame. The only way the software can make the game "challenging" is to manipulate the deal. Apparently not much work went into infusing the computer players with any ability. You are essentially playing a game of one-against-three, which is not the way Hearts is supposed to work. Once you get any kind of lead you will see that one or two of the other "players" often takes tricks in order to protect the one player still close to you in score. If one of the AI players threatens to "shoot the moon," i.e., take all the points in a hand, the onus will be on you to prevent it. The other two AI players will do nothing to defend against one of their own. There are two different rules for a player shooting the moon if one of the players is near the end (close to the point total for ending the game). If one of the AI players shoots the moon and any other player is close to maximum points (and you are not in the lead) the game will allow the other three to take 26 points each. If you ARE in the lead when one of the AI players shoots the moon the game will execute what it calls a "safety shoot." The player that shot the moon will have their score reduced 26 points effectively keeping the game going and denying you a victory. I've never heard of this tactic before and no one I ever played with in the real world would accept such manipulation of the game. You have to play this game to see the way it manipulates the deal in order to provide any level of competition. It's free, so one can't expect much. Overall it's a fun way to kill some time, but one quickly gets exasperated with the blatant manipulation and the three-against-one play.

The issue with this game site not just in Hearts but Euchre and Spades as well, appears to be the fact that the site appears to allow their game room monitors or as they call them guides to pass judgement/enforce rules on lobby issues and or issues between players, not necessarily just game related issues. There are rules set in place for this site as on many sites,however appears to be so many grey areas. Graphics however are decent. The game site had the option years back to pay a one time fee (Version 1) for endless use of the game and or games provided on this site.The newer (Version 2) is a pay monthly set up for many of the things that were free in earlier version, much like other game sites. Guides could and can also play with members. There appears to also be personal access to these guides and or room monitors via yahoo messenger/Skype various methods etc as some of them are players as well and can chat as anyone would on a personal level with other members. Thus, (guides/monitors) appear to make these judgements/enforce rules, based on their own opinions of what has taken place in lobby and or game . The ability to play as a guide or monitor and the possibility to become acquainted with the members in a private setting,appears and can create bias. It appears to have many issues because of this. This site left with this type of monitoring leaves me wondering how well the interview process for selection of this type of monitor/guide is, as well as what their qualifications on a professional level are to deal with this sort of thing. Rule enforcement seems and or appears to have no rhyme or reason from guide to guide and from member to member, making it very hard to enjoy the site. Would not recommend this game site for this reason . I was a member of Silver Creek for over 10 years. Played and purchased Version 1 as well as Version 2.