How to Count Cards
Card counting in Spades gives you an edge in predicting what your opponents and partner might hold, helping you make smarter plays, set opponents, and protect Nil bids. In this article, we’ll break down the principles of card counting, show you how to practice, and explain why it’s the mark of a truly advanced Spades player.
1. Why Count Cards in Spades?
Unlike games of pure chance, Spades rewards skillful tracking. Every time a card is played, information is revealed. By paying attention to these details, you can:
- Predict opponents’ strengths (e.g., who still has Spades left).
- Know when to play high or low cards.
- Set traps for opponents by forcing them to use trump.
- Help your partner succeed on risky bids like Nil.
- Maximize your tricks by timing when to play your winning cards.
In short, card counting transforms you from a reactive player into one who’s always one step ahead.
2. What to Count
Counting cards in Spades doesn’t mean memorizing all 52 cards. Instead, focus on what matters most:
1. Spades (Trump Suit)
Spades are always trump. Tracking how many Spades have been played and who still has them is the most important part of counting.
Example: If 9 Spades have been played, that means only 4 remain. If you still hold the Ace♠, you know exactly how much longer to wait before dropping it for maximum effect.
2. High Cards in Each Suit
Keeping track of the Aces, Kings, and Queens that have been played is key. If you know the Ace♦ is already gone, your King♦ is much safer to play.
3. Voids (Who Can’t Follow Suit)
Pay attention when someone fails to follow suit. If an opponent plays a Spade instead of a Heart, you now know they are void in Hearts – and that they may use Spades aggressively against you.
3. The Mechanics of Card Counting
Step 1: Start with Spades
From the first trick, count every Spade that’s played. There are 13 Spades total. If you keep a mental tally you’ll always know how many remain.
Step 2: Track Key High Cards
When an Ace or King is played, make a mental note that the “danger” in that suit is gone. This helps you judge whether your remaining high cards are safe winners.
Step 3: Watch Player Patterns
Notice when opponents slough discard or trump early. This gives you clues about their hands. For example, if someone trumps Diamonds early, they probably started with very few Diamonds.
Step 4: Practice Running Tallies
Advanced players keep a running count of each suit, not just Spades. This takes time to develop but pays off in higher accuracy.
Example: Using Card Counting to Win a Trick
Suppose you’re holding:
Queen♠, 9♠, 6♠
King♥, 8♥
10♦, 7♦
Ace♣, 5♣, 4♣
Early in the game, you notice:
Ace♥ and Queen♥ have already been played.
Three Spades (Ace, King, and Jack♠) are gone.
Now, when Hearts are led again, you can safely play King♥, because you know the only higher card (Ace♥) is already out of the game.
By counting, you turned what looked like a risky play into a guaranteed trick.
Counting for Nil Protection
Card counting becomes critical when you or your partner has bid Nil.
- If your partner is Nil, watch carefully for which suits they’re void in. You may need to “cover” them by playing higher cards to prevent them from accidentally winning a trick.
- If you’re Nil, count Spades religiously. Knowing how many are left helps you avoid situations where your low Spade accidentally wins late in the round.
For example, if you’re Nil and holding 2♠ and 5♠, you’re usually safe. But if 11 Spades have already been played, those low Spades may suddenly be the highest left. You’ll need your partner to cover.
Counting to Set Opponents
Another advanced use of card counting is setting your opponents (making them fail their bid).
Imagine your opponents bid 8 tricks together. You and your partner bid 5, making the total contract 13. To set them, you need to steal just one of their tricks.
By counting:
- You notice that one opponent is out of Diamonds early.
- You also know only 2 Spades remain.
You can lead Diamonds repeatedly, forcing them to trump with their last Spades, and then control the rest of the round.
Without card counting, you wouldn’t know the exact moment to make this play.
4. Practical Tips for Learning Card Counting
Start small – Begin by tracking just the Spades. Once you’re comfortable, expand to high cards in other suits.
Use grouping – Think in terms of “low Spades left” vs. “high Spades left” instead of every card individually.
Rely on elimination – If you’ve seen Ace♥ and King♥, you don’t need to remember the 2♥; you just know the danger is gone.
Practice offline – Deal out hands and simulate tricks. Try to track which cards are played without the pressure of live opponents.
Communicate (legally!) – While you can’t talk directly about your hands, your bids and plays send signals to your partner. Combined with card counting, this creates powerful teamwork.
5. Common Mistakes in Card Counting
Even experienced players sometimes slip up. Here are pitfalls to avoid:
- Losing focus: One missed trick can throw off your count.
- Overthinking: Don’t try to memorize every low card – focus on Spades and high cards.
- Ignoring the partner’s role: Card counting works best when you also anticipate what your partner is doing.
- Forgetting about bags: Even if you’re counting well, don’t accidentally take extra tricks that cost you later.
When you count cards well, Spades transforms from a game of chance into a game of strategy. And that’s when you truly feel like a master.