3 Answers

See how to play here >> http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Hearts

Hearts is a GREAT game to play with 4 people.  3 isn't quite as much fun. I don't know if the referral Colleen gave you will give much strategy, but I NEVER pass a spade, and generally hold the queen unless I can pass it to my right AND have no other spades. I always try to short myself in one of the other suits. When I pass hearts, I try to pass the highest I have with one that is very low, to thwart an attempt to "run" them.  
Hope you have fun playing.  I play on my computer daily. :D 

I wasted my student years playing this game. We called it 'Sweaty Betty' , she being the Queen of Spades. Some experienced card players say that to play it well is harder than bridge.