trick-taking · USA / Worldwide
Spades
Also known as Call Bridge (related)
Spades is the hugely popular four-player partnership trick-taking game where the spade suit is always trump and every hand turns on one promise: how many tricks will you and your partner take? Bid boldly, play the risky Nil, and manage your bags. Play free in your browser against smart bots or with friends — no download, no signup.
4–4 players · free · no download · no signup
How to play Spades
- Look at your 13 cards and bid your tricks (or Nil).
- Your bid + your partner’s bid is your team contract.
- Follow suit; spades are trump and win any trick they’re played in.
- Don’t lead spades until they’re broken.
- Make your contract: +10 per bid, +1 per bag (but 10 bags = -100). First team to the target wins.
Spades rules
Teams & deck
Four players in two partnerships sit across from each other. All 52 cards are dealt, 13 each. Spades are permanently trump — the lowest spade beats the highest card of any other suit.
Bidding
Each player bids the number of tricks they expect to win; the two partners’ bids combine into one team contract. The minimum is 1, or you can bid Nil (a promise to win zero tricks) for a big bonus — or penalty.
Playing
Follow the led suit if you can; otherwise play anything, including a spade to trump. Highest card of the led suit wins, unless a spade is played — then the highest spade wins. You can’t LEAD spades until they’re 'broken' (played on another suit).
Scoring
Make your combined bid for 10 points per bid trick. Overtricks are 'bags' worth 1 each, but every 10 bags costs you 100 points. Miss your bid and you lose 10 per bid. Nil is +/-100. First team to the target score (e.g. 300-500) wins.
Strategy tips
- Count Aces, Kings and your high spades to bid accurately.
- Only bid Nil with low cards and no high spades.
- Cover your partner’s Nil by winning the tricks they can’t.
- Avoid collecting bags — overtricks add up to a -100 hit.
- Lead your long side suit to force out opponents’ trumps.
Variants
Partnership Spades · Solo / Cutthroat Spades (3 players) · Mirror · Suicide (double nil) · Whiz
Spades — frequently asked questions
What is a Nil bid in Spades?
A bid to win zero tricks. Succeed for +100 points; take even one trick and it’s -100. Your partner still bids normally and helps you avoid tricks.
What are bags in Spades?
Overtricks — tricks won beyond your bid. Each is worth 1 point, but every 10 bags accumulated costs your team 100 points (the 'sandbag' rule).
Can I play Spades free online?
Yes — Spades is free to play in your browser at Love Card Games, against smart bots or friends, with no download or signup.
What does spades-broken mean?
You may not lead a spade until spades have been 'broken' — i.e. someone has played a spade because they couldn’t follow the led suit.