Spades
A team trick-taking game. Bid how many tricks your team will win each round.
Setup
4 players in 2 teams. Deal 13 cards each. Spades are always trump.
How to Play
- Each player bids how many tricks they'll take.
- Play tricks — must follow suit if possible. Spades beat everything.
- Your team must meet your combined bid. Under = lose 10pts per bid. Over = sandbag penalty.
- Nil bid (zero tricks) earns 100pts bonus if successful, -100 if failed.
How to Win
First team to 500 points.
Communicate through your bids. A confident partner bid means they have strong cards — trust them.
Is Spades Right for You?
Spades is the great partnership trick-taking game for four players who want bidding, teamwork, and a little brinkmanship. Reach for it when you have two pairs who want a game that rewards counting tricks and reading your partner over many hands.
Maybe skip it if: If you dislike being penalized for overconfidence, the sandbag and set rules can feel punishing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting that spades are always trump and cannot be led until spades are broken.
- Ignoring the bags rule, so the overtricks that quietly cost you 100 points sneak up on you.
Strategy Tips
- Lead low side-suit cards early to flush out high cards before committing your spades.
- Protect a partner's Nil by covering tricks they cannot duck and overtaking when needed.
Popular Variations
Nil
A player bids to take zero tricks; making it scores a 100-point bonus, but taking even one trick loses 100.
Blind Nil
Declare Nil before looking at your hand for a larger bonus, usually with a card exchange with your partner.
Our Take
We think Spades is the best entry point into serious partnership card games, blending easy rules with deep bidding and table talk. It is our go-to when we want Bridge-style teamwork without the steep learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does breaking spades mean?
You cannot lead a spade until someone has played one on an earlier trick (because they could not follow suit), or you hold nothing but spades.
What are bags in Spades?
Bags are overtricks taken beyond your bid; collect ten across hands and you lose 100 points, discouraging sandbagging.