How to play Spades

How to play Spades. Four players receive 13 cards each. You and the opposite seat are partners. Before play, each player bids how many tricks they expect to take. A bid of zero is Nil: try to take no tricks.

Rules

  1. Four players receive 13 cards each. You and the opposite seat are partners. Before play, each player bids how many tricks they expect to take. A bid of zero is Nil: try to take no tricks.
  2. Follow the led suit whenever possible. Otherwise any card may be played. Spades are always trump; the highest spade wins, or the highest card of the led suit if there is no trump. Do not lead spades until a spade has been played, unless your hand contains only spades.
  3. A made team contract scores 10 points per bid trick plus one point per extra trick. Missing it loses 10 points per bid trick. Every 10 accumulated extra tricks costs 100 points. Nil earns 100 if successful or loses 100 if broken; tricks from a failed Nil become bags and do not help the partner’s contract.
  4. The higher-scoring team wins after a hand when it has at least 500 points; a tied score continues. Choose cards by touch, mouse or keyboard. Undo restores your previous decision including subsequent computer actions. Daily deals use a fixed sequence, and computer choices use only their own cards and public play.

A position to try

You bid 3 and your partner bids 2. Taking 6 tricks earns 51 points and one bag. If that bag brings your running total to 10, the 100-point penalty makes this hand’s change −49.

Tap, click or use the keyboard.

Select a bid, then select a legal card when it is your turn. Scroll your hand sideways on a phone. Tab and Enter also work.

Hints explain one step. Undo is always available while history is kept.

Daily deals use the UTC date and mode, identically in every language.

No account, no installation. Games and personal records stay in your browser.

Strategy

Count likely winners before bidding: aces and high spades are stronger than isolated low cards, but no hand estimate guarantees a contract.

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