What is the objective of Spades?

The objective of Spades is to be the first partnership to reach a target score (typically 500 points). Teams earn points by accurately bidding on the number of tricks they will take and then fulfilling those bids. The team with the highest score when the target is reached wins.

How many players can play Spades?

Standard Spades is for 4 players divided into 2 partnerships of 2 players each. However, variations exist for 2 players (each plays solo), 3 players (each plays solo against the other two), and 6 players (3 partnerships of 2).

How does the bidding work?

After cards are dealt, each player looks at their hand and bids the number of tricks (out of 13) they expect to take. Bidding goes clockwise starting from the player left of the dealer. The two partners' bids are added together to form the team's contract. For example, if one partner bids 3 and the other bids 4, the team must take at least 7 tricks combined.

A nil bid is a declaration that the player will take zero tricks during the hand. A successful nil earns the partnership a 100-point bonus. If the nil bidder takes even one trick, the partnership loses 100 points. Nil is a high-risk, high-reward strategy used by players with weak hands.

A blind nil is a nil bid made before the player looks at their cards. It typically awards 200 points for success and penalizes -200 for failure. Some rule sets allow the blind nil bidder to pass two cards to their partner and receive two cards back before play begins. Blind nil is usually only permitted when a team is behind by a significant margin (often 100+ points).

How does scoring work?

Scoring in Spades has two components: Bid tricks: Each trick in the team's combined bid earns 10 points if the team makes its bid. For example, a bid of 7 made exactly scores 70 points. Bags (overtricks): Tricks taken beyond the bid count as bags, worth 1 point each. When a team accumulates 10 bags across multiple hands, they receive a 100-point penalty and the bag count resets. If a team fails to make its bid, it loses 10 points for each trick bid (not taken).

What are bags and sandbags?

Bags (also called sandbags) are tricks taken beyond what a team bid. Each bag is worth 1 point, providing a small bonus. However, when a team accumulates 10 bags total, they receive a 100-point penalty and the bag count resets to zero. This system penalizes chronic overbidding and encourages accurate bidding.

What happens when spades are trump?

Spades are always the trump suit in the game of Spades. A spade of any rank beats any non-spade card. If multiple spades are played on a trick, the highest spade wins. The Ace of Spades is the most powerful card in the game.

When can I lead spades?

You cannot lead spades until they have been "broken" — that is, played by someone who could not follow the led suit on a previous trick. Once any spade has been played on any trick, spades are considered broken and may be led freely. The only exception is if a player holds nothing but spades in their hand.

Can I play a spade on the first trick?

In standard rules, no player may play a spade on the first trick unless they have no other cards in their hand (which is virtually impossible). Some house rules are more lenient, but the standard rule prohibits leading or playing spades on trick one.

What is the difference between Spades and Bridge?

While both are partnership trick-taking games, they differ significantly: | Feature | Spades | Bridge | | -------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------ | | Bidding | Simple numeric bids | Complex auction system | | Trump | Always spades | Determined by bidding | | Scoring | Points per trick made | Complex contract scoring | | Learning curve | Moderate | Steep | | Game length | 20-60 minutes | 30-90 minutes |

What score do you play to?

The standard target score is 500 points. Some groups play to 300 for shorter games or 1000 for longer sessions. In tournament play, games may be played to 500 with specific time limits.

Card Games

Spades

Intermediate

Strategic Partnership Trick-Taking

Expert Reviewedby Card Games Academy Editorial Team

A partnership trick-taking game where players bid on how many tricks they will win. Spades are always trump. Combines precise bidding with strategic play. Widely popular in North America, especially in military and college communities.

Reviewed by Card Games Academy Editorial Team · Traditional Card Games Researchers

Last Updated: January 1, 2024

Spades is a partnership trick-taking card game for four players where spades are always trump. Players bid how many tricks they will take, and scoring rewards accurate bids while penalizing bags and failed bids.

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