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Spades – the partnership card game with bids, Nil and bags

Westbidding…
Partnerbidding…
Eastbidding…
You bidding…

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Quick answer

Spades is a free four-player partnership trick-taking card game that plays instantly in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download, sign-up or ads. Win at least the number of tricks your team bid; first team to 500 points wins.

Spades at a glance
What it isFour-player partnership trick-taking card game
GoalWin at least the number of tricks your team bid; first team to 500 points wins
ModesYou and a computer partner against two computer opponents; Nil bids, bags (10 bags cost 100)
ControlsTap a number to bid, then tap cards to play; only legal cards are lit
Players1 with a computer partner against 2 computer players
PriceFree, no ads, no sign-up, no download
Works onPhones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser

Strategy guide: Spades Bidding Explained: Nil Bids, Bags and Scoring

Mahjong and card games compared

Mahjong and card games compared
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HeartsFour-player trick-taking card gameYou against three computer players; pass three cards left, right, across or not at all; shooting the moon1 against 3 computer players
SpadesFour-player partnership trick-taking card gameYou and a computer partner against two computer opponents; Nil bids, bags (10 bags cost 100)1 with a computer partner against 2 computer players

The classic partnership trick-taking game

Spades is played by four players in two teams. Spades are always trumps. Before each round, every player bids the number of tricks they think they can win, and the team then tries to make its combined bid, no more and no less.

Strategy for winning partnerships

  • Bid honestly. A set costs 10 points per trick bid, but too many bags cost 100. Aim for the number you can really make.
  • Help your partner. If your partner is already winning a trick, play low and save your high cards.
  • Cover a Nil. When your partner bids Nil, play high to win tricks over them and keep them safe.
  • Lead your aces early. Side-suit aces are surest before someone runs out of the suit and can trump.
  • Count trumps. There are 13 spades. Knowing how many are left tells you when a high card is safe.

You, your partner and two opponents

Your partner sits opposite you; West and East play against you. Scores carry over each round until a team reaches 500 points, or falls to −200.

How to play Spades

  1. 1

    Bid your tricks

    After the deal, each player bids how many of the 13 tricks they expect to win. You and your partner's bids add up to your team's contract. Bid Nil to try to win no tricks at all.

  2. 2

    Follow suit

    Play a card of the suit led if you can. Spades are trumps and beat every other suit, but cannot be led until one has been played (unless you hold only spades).

  3. 3

    Make your contract

    A team that wins at least its bid scores 10 points per trick bid plus 1 per extra trick (a bag). Falling short loses 10 points per trick bid.

  4. 4

    Mind the bags

    Every 10 bags a team collects costs 100 points. A successful Nil scores 100, a failed one loses 100. The first team to 500 wins.

More card games

  • Hearts

    Avoid hearts and the queen of spades in this four-player trick-taking classic. Lowest score wins.

Frequently asked questions

Who is my partner?

The player opposite you, North, shown as Partner. You play together against West and East, and your tricks count together towards your team's bid.

What does Nil mean?

A Nil bid says you will win no tricks. If you manage it, your team scores 100; if you win even one trick, your team loses 100. Your partner's bid still counts on its own.

What are bags?

Tricks won above your team's bid. Each bag is worth 1 point, but every 10 bags subtracts 100 points, so overbidding safety comes at a price.

How should I bid?

Count aces, kings with another card of the suit, and spades. High spades are almost sure tricks, and long spades win tricks late in the hand. The game suggests a bid you can use as a guide.

How do the computer players play?

They bid from high cards and spade length, lead winners while their team needs tricks, play low when their partner is already winning, protect a partner who bid Nil, and avoid extra bags once the bid is made.

Prefer to play alone?

Klondike, Spider, FreeCell and Pyramid are the classic solitaire games, with undo and hints.

Play Solitaire
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