Most Popular Spades Variations
Table of Contents
In this article, we’ll walk through four of the most popular versions: Solo Spades, Suicide Spades, Mirror Spades, and Whiz Spades. By the end, you’ll know how each one plays — and which might suit your style best.
1. Solo Spades
If you enjoy independence and strategy, Solo Spades might be your game. As the name suggests, this version removes the usual partnerships – every player is on their own. Instead of working with a teammate, you’re competing directly against all the other players at the table.
How it works:
- Each player bids and plays individually.
- There’s no partner to cover for you or help you meet your bid.
- Scoring stays similar to standard Spades, but now your success depends entirely on your own hand and skill.
Strategy tip:
Solo Spades demands a very different mindset. Because you can’t rely on a partner, you must be realistic with your bids. It’s usually best to play more conservatively and aim for the number of tricks you’re sure you can take, rather than stretching for risky totals.
2. Suicide Spades
Suicide Spades adds a daring twist — and a bit of chaos — to the game. This version is usually played with partners, but one important rule makes it much riskier: every team must include one Nil bidder.
How it works:
- Each round, one partner must bid Nil, and the other must make a normal bid.
- The Nil bidder aims to take zero tricks for big points.
- The other player must take enough tricks to cover the Nil bid and still help reach the team’s goal.
This version rewards strong teamwork and communication. The Nil player must be careful not to accidentally win a trick, while the partner needs to protect them by taking control of as many rounds as possible.
Strategy tip:
In Suicide Spades, choose your Nil bidder wisely. A player holding even a few mid-value cards (like 9s or 10s) can easily break Nil by accident. The partner should bid high enough to make up for it — often taking more risks than in a standard game.
Example:
If your teammate bids Nil and you have several Aces and high Spades, it’s your job to dominate the play early. Win key tricks before your Nil partner gets trapped in a suit they can’t escape from.
3. Mirror Spades
Mirror Spades is all about honesty and self-awareness. In this variation, your bid isn’t optional — it’s automatically determined by your hand. The rule is simple: You must bid the exact number of Spades in your hand.
So if you’re dealt four Spades, your bid is 4. If you have one Spade, you bid 1. This twist removes the guessing game from bidding and forces players to focus purely on strategy and card management.
How it works:
- Every player’s bid is equal to their number of Spades.
- Blind Nil bids aren’t allowed.
- Scoring follows normal rules, but since everyone knows roughly what each player’s potential is, the focus shifts to clever play and timing.
Strategy tip:
Since your bid is predetermined, your decisions during play become even more critical. You can’t rely on a low or cautious bid — you must earn every trick your hand implies. Watching your opponents’ behavior can give you valuable clues about how strong their Spades are.
Example:
If you have five Spades, you know you’ll be expected to win five tricks. To succeed, hold onto your strongest Spades until the end — they’ll win easily once the lower ones are gone.
4. Whiz Spades
Whiz Spades simplifies bidding in another way — but it also adds a touch of drama. In this version, players can only make two types of bids: Nil or the exact number of Spades they hold.
How it works:
Each player looks at their hand and chooses:
- Nil, if they believe they can take zero tricks.
- A number equal to their Spades count, if they expect to play normally.
The result is a faster-paced game that encourages bold moves. Players with weak hands often go for Nil, while those with strong Spades hands must commit fully to their bid.
Strategy tip:
Whiz Spades rewards decisiveness. When you have many Spades, your path is clear — play aggressively and control the game. But if your Spades are weak, consider taking the Nil risk. Because everyone knows bids are limited, psychological play becomes a big part of the fun.
5. Choosing Your Favorite
Each variation of Spades adds a unique twist to the game:
- Solo Spades tests your independence and precision.
- Suicide Spades challenges your teamwork and nerve.
- Mirror Spades eliminates guesswork and emphasizes tactical play.
- Whiz Spades combines simplicity with high-stakes decisions.
If you’re new to these variations, start with Mirror or Whiz — both are easy to learn and help sharpen your sense of timing. Solo and Suicide Spades are better once you’re confident with the flow of standard play and want to push your strategic limits
Spades is one of those games that grows with you. Once you understand the basics, exploring new variations is the perfect way to keep things exciting and develop new skills. Whether you prefer playing solo, working as a team under pressure, or facing predictable rules that still challenge your timing, there’s a version of Spades for every type of player.
So the next time you shuffle the deck, try a new twist — you might discover your favorite way to play Spades all over again.