Learn How to Play Spades Card Game: Tips & Strategies to Win Big

Spades – a classic card game that has been played in households for eons. This trick-taking card game is usually played in a dual group consisting of a total of four players. If you have a standard deck of playing cards, you can consider playing this game. Or if that seems inconvenient to you, shift online and play on certain apps. 

As a beginner, you can download our Rummy app to play other card games and sharpen your skills. With a little practice and a basic understanding of how card games work, you can enjoy playing Spades card games by implementing the best skills and strategies. And if you have mastered enough, you can outplay all your opponents and surely win BIG!

This extremely challenging game puts your decision-making and mental resilience to test. To see what the fuss is all about, get started with playing the game online and make the most out of this rewarding game!

Getting an Insight into Spades: Objective, Important Terminologies & Playing It Online

Wondering how to play Spades card game? A game of Spades demands a foolproof bidding plan, strategic thinking, and smart game moves. The trick card game is usually played in two teams of two players each. Whether you play online or offline, the ultimate aim is to bid a strategic number of tricks that your team might be able to win.

Learning how to play Spades card games begins with learning the game’s objective. A player must ensure winning at least an equal number of tricks similar to the bid, and he must do so right at the beginning of the game. For example, let’s say a player has bid 4 tricks after 13 cards have been dealt to all the players. Then, the objective of that round will be to win a minimum of 4 tricks. 

Now that the objective is clear, you need to know the terms used in the game for a better understanding.

• Bid: The number of tricks each player calls
• Lead: The player who plays the first card as a round commences
• Suit: The symbols that you find on each playing card
• Trick: The set of cards being played at the time of a play of hand
• Bag: Total number of tricks won by the player above the bid
• Trump: A privileged suit (Spades is the Trump by default)
• Turn: One rotation of playing cards has been completed

Whether you want to practise the game to hone your skills or exhibit your unparalleled strategies, consider downloading our app to play other card games and sharpen your Spade skills in the process. Just as you would play Rummy over and over again to get a better hold of it, you need to do the same with Spades. The game is fairly easy to play and comprises only 4 stages.

1. Card dealing: The dealer has to deal himself a card and then go clockwise from left. Every player should have 13 cards by the end of dealing.
2. Card bidding: Each player has to place a bid on the expected number of winning tricks. The number bid gets added to the player’s bid to form a team bid.
3. Card play: The game moves in a clockwise direction with the aim to break the Spades. By the end of the game, there should only be Spades remaining in the players’ hands.
4. Game score: With all tricks employed, the game comes to an end. A team bidding 5 tricks ends up winning 5 tricks, and this gets them 50 points (10 points each for 5 tricks).

Winning a Game of Spades: Strategies and Tips for Implementation

Taking your skills to a razor-sharp point is not easy; it comes only when you are able to implement the right tips and strategies in the game. Just as you would practise and play Rummy and other card games time and again on our app, the same needs to be done with Spades. Become a Spade player so skilled that you can beat even the veterans!

Refrain from overbidding

A professional player bids as close as possible without going over. This needs to be done because if you exceed the amount bidden, you get a ‘bag’. Therefore, getting 10 bags means you get a 100-point penalty. Someone who is playing for a longer game of 500 points must avoid collecting bags as much as possible.

Bags might not always be bad

As you learn how to play Spades card game, you might notice players intentionally collecting bags to stop opponents from making moves. Also, if you see that the other team can be lured into going over by collecting bags, get some bags yourself so that the other team tries countering your bold move and ultimately collects unnecessary tricks.

Adopt a fruitful bidding strategy

Beginners need to be mindful of the bidding strategies. You can bid 1 trick for each Spade that is 10 or more than that and then 1 trick each for King and Ace that is not a Spade. Note that Jokers can also be counted as a trick if you are using them. While the Ace of Spades will bring you an automatic win, the King of Spades will give you a trick.

Be mindful of other players’ bids

Let’s say that someone bids nil and thus is not going to take any tricks. This may result in you winning some extra tricks that you may not have counted on. Sadly, you will now incur a bag of penalties. Consider the number of bags your opponents have so that you can now have the opportunity to bid a tad bit more aggressively.

Know when being aggressive will pay off

Players who have a substantial lead should bid conservatively so that no foolish measure is taken that might jeopardise the lead. But in case you are lagging behind and want to reduce the margin with other players, adopting a cutthroat approach might pay you off. But adopt aggressive gameplay for a Spades card game only if you are sure.

Track your score continuously

A professional Spades player remains aware of his score at all levels so that he can implement the right measures to ensure a win. Know the margin of how many points you need to add so as to calculate and make the right move. Choosing the right strategy will take you where you want to be and can contribute to winning.

Consider bidding blind or nil if you have low scores

If you are lagging behind and willing to take a risk, go for bidding nil or blind. While you bid blind without taking a look at your hand, bidding nil happens after looking at the existing hand. A successful blind or nil bid will fetch you a whopping 100 points. And for higher stakes, you can opt for something called blind nil that can get you 200 points.

Try remembering all the cards

A Spades card game is played with one 52-card deck. This is a boon for individuals who have a good memory, as they can easily remember which cards have been played. Track the Spades that have been played already so that they do not trump any card in your hand. Consider using high cards if you figure out that opponents have used all their Spades.

Lead with a low Spade

Those who have five or more Spades are advised to lead with a low one. This will result in other players following suit, and they will soon be exhausted with nothing to trump your cards. Thus, your remaining Spades become all the more powerful, and you can use them to win tricks and trump other high cards.

In conclusion

Diving into a Spades card game will make you understand why the game has garnered such worldwide popularity. The game is just the right choice for both casual and competitive play. Just as you would have wondered how to play Rummy and then mastered the game by practising on our Rummy app, you need to do the same here. 

Simply learn the rules and the right strategies that will torpedo you towards a winning hand. You can play Spades both online and offline. Soon, you might become skilled enough to take part in tournaments and find the right direction to channel your inner passion.