A lot of people get traumatized when they take the Queen; they go, as a poker player would say, on tilt. These players turn the 13 points from the Queen into 20, because they try to shoot with a marginal hand. Don't be one of those players.

First of all, don't freak out when you take the Queen. In a standard four-handed game of hearts, with four equally-skilled players, you'll get the Queen about one-quarter of the time. If that's the rate you're taking that card at, don't worry. Just only take 13.

Now, it's always tempting to try and shoot the moon when you just took the Queen, because it seems like you're half there -- but you're not. The Queen is 50% of the points required, but only about 7% of the cards required. One player with five Hearts, or a savvy player holding the Queen of Hearts, they'll sink your shoot as quick as can be.

Instead, use the threat of the shoot to drop potential trick-winning hearts. Just took the Queen of Spades? Lead the Jack of Hearts, and watch how fast the King or Ace of Hearts comes out to take that trick. If you've got the Ace of Hearts, lead it, take just 4 points in a Hearts trick, then lead a lower Heart -- I guarantee every other player will be fearing your moonshot at this point.

If you can play smart after you take the Queen, you'll be ahead of all the mediocre players out there.