Setup
Deal 13 cards each. Partners sit opposite. Cards rank A K Q … 2, and spades always trump.
Bidding
Each player bids the number of tricks they expect to take. Partners' bids are added together into the team's contract. You may also bid Nil, promising to take no tricks at all: +100 if you take none, −100 if you take any.
Playing a trick
- Follow the suit led if you can; otherwise play any card, including a spade.
- The highest spade wins; if none was played, the highest card of the led suit wins.
- Spades can't be led until a spade has been played on another suit (“spades are broken”), unless you hold only spades.
Scoring
- Contract made: 10 points per trick bid, plus 1 per extra trick (a bag). Bid 5, take 7 → 52.
- Contract missed: lose 10 per trick bid. Bid 5, take 4 → −50.
- Sandbags (optional, in Settings): bags add up across deals, and every 10 bags costs 100 points.
Winning
The first team to 500 wins (you can change the target in Settings).
Variants
The app also offers Cutthroat (every player for themselves), Jokers (Big Joker, Little Joker, 2♦ and 2♠ as the top four trumps) and a Board rule where a team's bids must total at least 4.
Tips to win
- Count Aces and Kings outside spades as about one trick each, then add your long spades.
- Bid a little low late in a game only if bags won't push you over 10.
- Protect your partner's Nil: win tricks they might be forced to take.
FAQ
What are bags in Spades?
Tricks your team takes beyond its bid. Each is worth 1 point. With the sandbag rule switched on, every 10 you collect costs 100.
Can I play Spades without a partner?
Yes. Switch on Cutthroat in the app's settings, and every player scores on their own.
Ready to play Spades?
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