Leading spades and breaking spades
You can’t lead a spade until spades have been broken by someone trumping. Learn which cards you can lead, and when. How Spades works · lesson 3 of 5.
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The lesson in words
When you lead a trick, you can’t start with a spade until spades are broken: someone has played a spade on another suit. (If you have nothing but spades, you may lead one.)
You’re leading, and spades aren’t broken yet.
Try it: Tap every card you may lead.
Now spades have been broken.
Try it: Tap every card you may lead.
Spades open up once someone has trumped. Next: bidding.