How to Play Spades
Overview
Spades is a trick-taking card game for four players in two partnerships. The spades suit is always trump. Players bid how many tricks they expect to win, and teams earn points by meeting or exceeding their combined bid.
Setup
- Use a standard 52-card deck.
- Deal 13 cards to each of 4 players.
- Players sit in two teams — partners sit opposite each other.
- Cards rank from Ace (high) to 2 (low).
Bidding
Starting with the player to the dealer's left, each player bids the number of tricks they think they will win. Bids range from 0 (nil) to 13.
- Standard bid: 1-13 tricks you expect to win.
- Nil bid: Zero tricks — commonly earns 100 bonus points if successful and loses 100 if failed.
- Blind nil: Nil bid made before looking at your cards — commonly 200 points at stake.
Gameplay
- The player left of the dealer leads any card except a spade (unless spades are broken).
- Players must follow suit if possible. If unable, any card may be played, including spades.
- Spades are always trump — the highest spade wins, otherwise the highest card of the led suit.
- The winner of each trick leads the next.
Scoring
- Meeting bid: Team earns 10 points per trick bid.
- Bags (overtricks): +1 point per extra trick won beyond the bid.
- Bag penalty: In common rules, every 10 bags accumulated costs the team 100 points.
- Failed bid: Team loses 10 points for each trick bid.
Winning
First team to reach 250 points (or 500) wins the game.
Strategy Tips
- Bid conservatively — it's better to make your bid than overestimate.
- When your partner bids nil, play your highest cards to cover them.
- Count trump cards played to know how many spades remain.
- Lead with low cards from long suits to force opponents to play their trump.
FAQ
What is Spades trump?
The spades suit is always trump. A spade card always beats any other suit regardless of rank.
What is a nil bid?
A nil bid means the player expects to win zero tricks. In many common rules, a successful nil earns a 100-point bonus.
How do you win at Spades?
The first team to reach 250 or 500 points wins.