How to play Spades: bidding and partnership play

Spades is won in the bidding as much as the play. Bid accurately, then help your partner make it without collecting bags.

The rules

You and North are partners against West and East. Each player bids how many tricks they’ll take; partners’ bids add up to a team target. Follow suit if you can. Spades are always trumps and can’t be led until broken. Make your team’s bid to score 10 per trick bid plus 1 per extra trick (bag); miss it and lose 10 per trick bid. Every 10 bags costs 100. First to 250 wins.

Counting tricks for your bid

• Aces in side suits: about one trick each.
• Kings with at least one other card in the suit: often a trick.
• High spades (Ace, King, Queen): usually tricks.
• Long spades: each spade beyond the third is likely to win a trick.
• Short side suits: a void or singleton lets you trump.

When unsure, bid one fewer. Missing a bid costs much more than a bag.

Work with your partner

If North is already winning a trick, don’t overtake: play your lowest card. Lead suits where your partner might be strong, and avoid leading into the opponents’ strength.

Trump wisely

When you can’t follow suit, use a low spade to win a trick the opponents are taking. Don’t waste high spades on tricks your partner already has.

Watch the bags

Once your team has made its bid, extra tricks only add bags. Throw away low cards and let the opponents win tricks if it doesn’t hurt you.