Spades

About the game

The partnership trick-taking game: you and the computer across from you against the two on your sides. Everyone bids how many tricks they will take, spades always trump, and your side must make its bid without piling up too many extra tricks. Bid nil for a big bonus if you dare. Three levels of opponents; play to 500 points or a quick 250.

Rules

Four players, two partnerships: you and the player across from you against the other two. Everyone gets thirteen cards.

Bidding: starting left of the dealer, each player says how many tricks they expect to take, from 1 to 13, or nil (none at all). The two bids of a partnership add up to its contract.

Play: the player left of the dealer leads. Everyone must follow suit if they can; otherwise any card may be played. Spades are always trumps: the highest spade wins the trick, otherwise the highest card of the led suit. Spades may not be led until a spade has been played on a trick, unless the leader holds nothing else.

Scoring: a partnership that takes at least its contract scores 10 points per trick bid and 1 point for every extra trick, called a bag. Falling short costs 10 points per trick bid. Every 10 bags cost 100 points.

Nil: a nil bidder who takes no trick wins 100 points for the partnership, otherwise it loses 100. A nil bidder's tricks never count toward the partner's bid; they count as bags.

The game ends after the hand in which a partnership reaches the target (500, or 250 for a short game); the higher score wins, and a tie plays another hand. A partnership that falls to −200 loses at once.

How to play

1. Bid how many tricks you think you will take; your partner sits across from you.
2. Tap a card to play it; follow the suit that was led if you can.
3. The highest spade wins the trick, otherwise the highest card of the led suit.
4. Make your side's bid: 10 points a trick bid. First side to the target wins.

Languages

EN · DE

Works on

Phone, tablet, computer

Players

4