Play Spades Online

Overview

Spades is a trick-taking card game with four players in fixed partnerships. The goal is to take at least the number of tricks that you bid before play begins.

Card Ranking

Spades are always trump. Cards rank from highest to lowest: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

Bidding

Each player bids the number of tricks they expect to take. The first player to the dealer's left starts bidding, continuing clockwise. A bid of "zero" is called "Nil".

Team bids are added together (e.g., if you bid 3 and your partner bids 4, your team must take at least 7 tricks).

Play

The player to the left of the dealer leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, they may play any card, including a trump (spade).

The highest card of the suit led wins the trick unless a spade is played, in which case the highest spade wins.

The winner of each trick leads the next one.

Scoring

Making contract (taking at least your bid): 10 points per trick bid
Overtricks (sandbags): 1 point each
Failing to make contract: -10 points per trick bid
Successful Nil bid: +100 points
Failed Nil bid: -100 points

Every time a team accumulates 10 sandbags, they lose 100 points.

Winning

The first team to reach 500 points wins. If both teams reach 500 on the same hand, the team with the higher score wins.

How to Play Spades Online

1. Bidding

Each player, starting from the dealer's left, bids the number of tricks they believe they can win. Your team's bid is the sum of individual bids. A bid of 'Nil' means you aim to win zero tricks.

2. Playing the Game

The player to the dealer's left leads the first trick. You must follow suit if possible. If you can't follow suit, you can play any card, including a Spade (trump). The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, unless a Spade is played, in which case the highest Spade wins. The winner of a trick leads the next one.

3. Scoring

Making your team's contract (bid) earns 10 points per trick bid. Overtricks (tricks won beyond the bid) are worth 1 point each and are called 'bags'. Accumulating 10 bags results in a 100-point penalty. Failing to make your contract costs 10 points per trick bid. A successful 'Nil' bid earns 100 points, while a failed 'Nil' costs 100 points.

4. Winning

The game is typically played to a predetermined score, often 500 points. The first team to reach this score wins.

Spades Strategy Tips

Count Cards: Keep track of high cards played, especially Spades.

Communicate with Partner (Implicitly): Your bids and card plays signal information to your partner.

Manage Bags Carefully: Avoid taking too many overtricks if your team is close to the 10-bag penalty.

Lead Strategically: Leading a suit can help establish winners or force out trumps.

Spades Online

Game Status

Your Bid

Round Results

Spades Rules