What is Spades?
Spades is the great American partnership game. Before a single card hits the table, you and the player across from you promise how many tricks your team will win — then you spend the whole hand making good on it. Spades are always trump, a Nil bid is always a gamble, and every extra trick you didn't ask for comes back to haunt you. Play free against clever bots or with friends in a private room, no account needed.
How a hand works
- Everyone gets 13 cards and bids the tricks they expect to win — from Nil (zero) up to 13. Your bid and your partner's add together.
- The player left of the dealer leads. Follow suit whenever you can.
- Spades beat everything, but you can't lead them until they've been "broken".
- Make your team's combined bid and you score it; fall short and it's taken away.
- Hands repeat until a team reaches 500 points (Quick Match plays to 250).
Scoring at a glance
10 × bidfor making your combined bid — and minus the same for getting set
+1per overtrick, but each one banks a "bag"
−100when your team collects its tenth bag
±100for a Nil bid — made or broken
Guides worth reading
Common questions
- What exactly is a bag?
- An overtrick — a trick beyond your bid. Each is worth a point, but bank ten and your team loses 100. Spades rewards bidding exactly what your hand is worth.
- Should I ever bid Nil?
- Sometimes! A successful Nil scores 100, a failed one costs the same. Our Nil guide covers when the gamble makes sense.
- Can I play with friends?
- Yes — create a private room, share the code, and fill the other seats with friends or bots.