How to play Spades
Spades is a trick-taking card game for four players in two teams. You and your partner bid how many tricks you’ll take, spades are always trump, and the first team to the target score wins. Play free against bots, with friends in a private room or with live players.
Play Spades freeSpades at a glance
- Players
- 4, in two teams of 2
- Cards
- One 52-card deck, 13 each
- Goal
- First team to 500 points
- Game length
- About 20–40 minutes
How to play Spades
Bid
Look at your 13 cards and say how many tricks you think you will win.
Play
Follow the suit that was led if you can. Spades beat every other suit.
Score
Make your team’s bid to score 10 points a trick. First to 500 wins.
Complete Spades rules
Setup
Four players sit in two partnerships, partners facing each other. Deal all 52 cards, 13 to each player.
Bidding
Each player bids how many tricks they expect to win, and partners add their bids together. Bidding nil means you promise to win no tricks at all.
Playing tricks
Follow the suit that was led if you can. If you can’t, play any card, including a spade. The highest spade wins the trick, or the highest card of the suit led if no spade was played. Spades can’t be led until one has been played on another suit.
Scoring
Make your bid to score 10 points per trick bid, plus 1 for each extra trick (a bag). Miss it and lose 10 per trick bid. Every 10 bags costs 100 points. Nil scores 100 if made and loses 100 if not. The first team to 500 wins.
Tips to win at Spades
- Count the spades that have been played. There are 13, and knowing what’s left wins tricks.
- Bid with your partner in mind. A lone Ace or King in a short suit is usually a trick.
- Watch your bags. Ten extra tricks cost your team 100 points.
Ways to play Spades
Classic partnership
Four players, teams of two, first to 500.
Nil and blind nil
Bid zero tricks for a big bonus, or take a big penalty if you win one.
Short game
Play to 300 points for a faster match.
Play by your house rules
- Target score300500
- Nil bidsOnOff
- Blind nilOffOn
- Bag penaltyOnOff
- Bot levelEasyMediumHard
About Spades
Spades became popular in the United States from the late 1930s, and soldiers spread it widely during World War II. It remains a social favorite at family gatherings, in college dorms and in the military.
Rules reviewed by the tavlo.gg game team · Updated October 10, 2026Questions about Spades
Can I play Spades with friends?
What are nil and blind nil?
What are bags in Spades?
Is Spades free to play?
Can I play Spades on my phone?
- Can I play Spades with friends?
- Yes. Pick Friends and share the link or code. Bots can fill any empty seats.
- What are nil and blind nil?
- A nil bid is a promise to win no tricks at all. Blind nil is the same promise made before you look at your cards, for a bigger bonus.
- What are bags in Spades?
- Bags are the extra tricks you win over your bid. Each one scores 1 point, but every 10 bags cost your team 100 points.
- Is Spades free to play?
- Yes. Spades is free in your browser, with no download and no sign-up. You can start as a guest, and your progress saves on this device.
- Can I play Spades on my phone?
- Yes. Spades runs in any phone or tablet browser, with touch controls and nothing to install.