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How Do You Play Spades?

Spades Rules

Spades is a popular trick-taking card game played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal is to accurately bid and win the number of tricks you and your partner commit to. The game is usually played with four players in teams of two, but variations exist for 2, 3, or 5 players.

1. What Is the Objective of Spades?

The main goal in Spades is for each team to win at least the number of tricks they bid. A trick consists of one card played by each player. The highest-ranking card in the lead suit (or highest spade, if spades are played) wins the trick.

2. What Is the Order of Cards?

Cards are ranked from highest to lowest: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 through 2. Spades are always the trump suit and beat cards of any other suit.

Example: If the lead suit is hearts and a player plays the 10♠, they win the trick—even against the A♥.

In VIP Spades, you can create custom game and choose to play Spades with Jokers. Then the ranking of the cards is as follows:

  • Spades: Big Joker, Little Joker, Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
  • Clubs: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3
  • Hearts: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
  • Diamonds: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3
spades cards
spades bidding

3. How Does Bidding Work in Spades?

After the deal, each player bids the number of tricks they expect to win. Bidding starts with the player to the dealer’s left and proceeds clockwise.

Types of Bids:

  • Standard Bid: Any number from 1 to 13.
  • Nil Bid: Predict you’ll win zero tricks. Success earns +100 points, failure results in -100 points.
  • Blind Nil: Declare Nil before seeing your cards. Worth +200 or -200 points.

Example of Bidding:

  • Player A: 3
  • Player B: 4
  • Player C: 2
  • Player D: 3

Your team’s contract = 7 tricks. Opponents = 5 tricks.

More about spades bidding and what you should avoid.

4. How Do You Play a Trick?

  1. The player to the dealer’s left leads the first card.
  2. Players must follow suit if possible.
  3. If they can’t, they may play any card—including a spade.
  4. Spades cannot be led until they are broken.
  5. The highest card in the lead suit wins, unless a spade is played (in which case, the highest spade wins).

Example: Lead: 9♦, another player plays 3♠ → 3♠ wins, even against K♦ or J♦.

Renege in Spades refers to the act of failing to follow suit when a player has the ability to do so, resulting in a penalty for the offending team.

5. What Are Bags in Spades (Overtricks)?

A bag is an extra trick won beyond what your team bid. Each bag is worth +1 point, but collecting 10 bags results in a -100 point penalty.

Bag Example:

Your team bids 6 tricks but wins 8:

  • Base score: 6 × 10 = 60
  • Bags: 2 → +2 points
  • Total: 62 points

Bag count: 2 → If you reach 10 bags over multiple rounds, your team is penalized 100 points.

spades bag

6. How Is Scoring Calculated?

Event Points
Made bid 10 × number of tricks bid
Overtricks (bags) +1 per bag
10 bags -100 penalty
Failed bid -10 × number of tricks bid
Successful Nil +100
Failed Nil -100
Blind Nil (success/fail) +200 / -200

Scoring Example:

You bid 4 and win 6 tricks:

  • Base: 4 × 10 = 40
  • Bags: 2 → +2
  • Total: 42 points

Spades scoring explained in detail

The game ends when a team reaches 500 points, or when a pre-agreed point cap (e.g., 200 or 300) or round limit is reached.

7. What Are the Most Popular Spades Variations?

  • Solo Spades: No teams, every player for themselves. This variation is also known as Cutthroat Spades.
  • Suicide Spades: One player from each team must bid Nil.
  • Mirror Spades: You must bid the number of spades in your hand.
  • Whiz Spades: You must bid either the number of spades or Nil.

Can You Play Spades with 2, 3, or 5 Players?

  • 3 Players: Remove a card to deal evenly. All players play solo.
  • 2 Players: Players draw and discard from a center pile each turn.
  • 5 Players: Use a dummy hand or play with adjusted rules.

Learn more about these versions:

8. What Are the Best Tips and Strategies for Spades?

  • Bid wisely – don’t overestimate your hand.
  • Communicate with your partner through bidding and plays.
  • Keep track of spades that have been played.
  • Use trump cards (spades) strategically, not impulsively.
  • Don’t collect too many bags – sometimes it’s better to lose a trick.

More Spades strategies

9. Where Can You Play Spades Online?

Try VIP Spades – play for free, join tournaments, and challenge real players worldwide.

For a visual explanation of Spades rules and gameplay, you might find the following video helpful: