Classic Trick-Taking Game

Spades

Bid, play, and win tricks! Spades are always trump in this classic card game.

Score to 100
You: 0 (0 bags)
CPU: 0 (0 bags)
CPU
You

Click 'New Game' to start!

Your cards: 0

Your Statistics

0

Games Played

0

Games Won

0

Total Tricks

How to Play Spades

Basic Rules

  • ✓Bid how many tricks you'll win (0-13)
  • ✓Spades are always trump
  • ✓Must follow suit if able
  • ✓First to 100 points wins

Scoring

  • ★Make bid: 10 pts per trick bid
  • ★Overtricks: +1 pt each (bag)
  • ★10 bags = -100 pt penalty
  • ★Miss bid: -10 pts per trick bid

About Spades

Spades is one of America's most popular trick-taking card games, believed to have originated in Cincinnati in the late 1930s. It combines elements of Bridge and Whist with a unique twist: spades are always trump, making the game accessible yet strategically deep.

The bidding system adds a layer of prediction and psychology. Players must accurately assess their hand's potential while avoiding "bags" (overtricks) that accumulate to penalties. This balance between aggression and caution makes Spades endlessly engaging.

Our online version features intelligent CPU opponents that provide a challenging single-player experience. Track your statistics, perfect your bidding strategy, and aim for that winning score of 100 points!

Benefits of Playing Spades

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Strategic Planning

Develop long-term thinking through bidding and card management strategies.

🧮

Mental Math

Sharpen arithmetic skills while tracking scores, bags, and calculating bids.

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Card Counting

Improve memory by tracking played cards and predicting remaining hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spades is a trick-taking card game where spades are always trump. Players bid on how many tricks they'll win, then try to meet their bid exactly. Each trick is won by the highest card of the led suit, unless a spade trumps it. The goal is to reach the target score first.
Before each round, players look at their cards and bid how many tricks they think they can win (0-13). You should consider your high cards, length in suits, and number of spades. Meeting your bid exactly earns 10 points per trick bid. Going over creates 'bags' which can penalize you.
Spades are always trump, meaning they beat any card from other suits. If you can't follow the led suit, you can play a spade to win the trick. However, spades cannot be led until they've been 'broken' (played on another suit's lead).
Bags are overtricks - tricks won beyond your bid. Each bag counts against you. In standard rules, every 10 bags accumulated results in a 100-point penalty. Strategic players try to win exactly their bid to avoid bags.
A nil bid means you predict winning zero tricks. It's risky but rewarding - successful nil earns 100 bonus points, but failing costs 100 points. Some variations allow 'blind nil' (bidding before seeing cards) for even higher stakes.
Spades can only be led after they've been 'broken' - meaning someone has played a spade on a trick led by another suit. This typically happens when a player is void in the led suit. Once broken, spades can be led freely.
The highest card of the led suit wins, unless spades were played. If spades are played, the highest spade wins. Players must follow the led suit if able. If you can't follow suit, you may play any card including a trump spade.
Making your bid: 10 points per trick bid + 1 point per overtrick (bag). Missing your bid (undertricks): lose 10 points per trick bid. Nil success: +100 points. Nil failure: -100 points. 10 bags = -100 point penalty.
Key strategies: (1) Count your sure tricks before bidding. (2) Lead high cards early to pull out opponents' high cards. (3) Track which cards have been played. (4) Save spades for emergencies or to capture high cards. (5) Avoid bags when possible.
Yes! This Spades game is completely free to play online. No downloads, no sign-ups, no hidden costs. Practice your trick-taking skills, track your statistics, and enjoy this classic card game anytime!

Pro Tips for Spades

♠
Count Your Sure Tricks

High spades (A, K, Q) and aces in other suits are usually safe bids. Don't over-count kings without accompanying cards.

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Manage Your Bags

Sometimes it's better to lose a trick than win an overtrick. Watch your bag count approaching 10!

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Track the Cards

Pay attention to which spades and high cards have been played. This helps you know when your cards are winners.

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Lead Strategy

Lead your short suits to create voids, allowing you to trump later. Lead high cards early to draw out opponents' trumps.

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