Spades

How to play spades in one minute

1. Teams: you and your partner (top) against West and East. Everyone gets 13 cards. Spades are always trump.
2. Bid: each player says how many tricks they will win. Partners add their bids: that is your contract. Nil means you promise to win none.
3. Play: follow the suit that was led if you can. If you can’t, a spade wins the trick. Spades can’t be led until one has been played on another suit.
4. Score: make your contract for 10 points per trick bid, plus 1 for each extra trick (a bag). Fall short and you lose 10 per trick bid. Nil is worth 100. Every 10 bags cost 100 points.
5. Win: first side to 500 (or 250 in a short game).

After every hand you see exactly how both sides scored. New to spades? Read how to play and the bidding guide, or press Hint.

More ways to play

• Daily deal: four hands with the same cards for everyone today.
• Cutthroat spades: every player for themselves.
• Variants: 3-player, 2-player, jokers and more.
• Printable score sheet and rules for real cards.

Questions

Is this spades game free?

Yes. There is nothing to buy, no sign-up and no ads. Your game and stats are saved in your browser.

Who do I play with?

The computer plays your partner, who sits across from you, and the two opponents to your left and right. Pick easy, medium or hard.

Which rules does this game use?

The standard partnership rules described by Pagat.com and Bicycle: bids from 0 to 13, nil and blind nil, spades must be broken before they are led, 10 points per trick bid, 1 point per bag, minus 100 for every 10 bags, game to 500.

When can I bid blind nil?

Only when your side is behind by 100 points or more. You decide before you see your cards, and then you swap two cards with your partner. See nil strategy.

Can I play without a partner?

Yes. Cutthroat spades is the solo version: four players, each on their own.

Can I play a shorter game?

Yes. Under Settings choose a game to 250 points. It starts with your next new game.