Spades is my favorite trick-taking card game -- you'd probably enjoy it if you like Hearts.
I prefer Shadow Hunters over Bang! since it has a mechanic to identify other players (unlike Bang!) and it moves a hell of a lot faster as a consequence. If you're not up for it though, that's fine.
Surprised you haven't met more people that have played that game you mention being taught by your teacher. It's known by a ton of different names -- I've met people who call it King-Peasant, President, The Bum Game... it goes on. It's a reasonably common game, though everyone has their own rule variants.
--
No amount of planning will ever replace dumb luck.