Rules of Spades

There are many variations of Spades, including when playing with partners. This is one for players playing solo (cutthroat, individually).

Object of the Game

The object of the game is to take at least the number of tricks bid with spades being trump.

Pack

A standard pack of 52 cards is used (no jokers). 

Cards Used

All players start each with an equal number of cards.

• For three players, the 2♣ is removed from the deck and each player is dealt 17 cards.

• For four players, all cards are used, and each player is dealt 13 cards.

• For five players the 2♣ and 2♦ are removed from the deck and each player is dealt 10 cards.

• For six players the 2♣, 3♣, 2♦, and 3♦ are removed from the deck and each player is dealt 8 cards.

For six or more players, 2 decks may be used.

Rank of the Suits

The spade suit is always trump.

Rank of the Cards

A (high), K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

End-of-Game Score

Players decide on the final score that will determine the winner; it will also determine the length of the game. A score of 500 points is common, but a score of 200 points is suitable for a short game.

Scorekeeper

• One of the players is selected as the scorekeeper.

• At the start of each round of play, the scorekeeper logs each player's bid.

• At the end of each round of play, the scorekeeper:

  • • Logs the tricks taken by each player.

    • If bags are used, checks the accumulated bags for each player and logs any penalties.

    • Computes and logs each player’s score for the round.

    • Computes and logs each player’s running score.

Dealer

• The first dealer is chosen by a draw for the high card and deals the first round.

• In each subsequent round, the turn to deal proceeds clockwise.

• The entire deck is dealt one at a time, face down, beginning on the dealer's left.

• The players then pick up their cards and arrange them by suits.

Bidding Phase

• Each player decides how many tricks they will be able to take with spades being trump.

• The player to the dealer's left starts the bidding and, in turn, each player states how many tricks they expect to win.

• There is only one round of bidding.

• The minimum bid is one.

• Every player must make a bid; no player may pass.

Playing Phase

• The player on the dealer's left makes the opening lead.

• Spades cannot be led until they are “broken” (played previously or the player has nothing but spades).

• Players must follow suit, if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, they may play a trump or discard.

• The trick is won by the player who plays the highest trump or, if no trump was played, the player who played the highest card in the suit led.

• The player who wins the trick leads next.

• Play continues until none of the players have any cards left. Each hand is worth 13 tricks.

Scoring

The game is scored each round (hand).

• • For making the contract (taking at least the number of tricks bid), a player scores:

    • • 10 points for each trick bid

      • 1 point for each overtrick (tricks over the number bid)

  • For Breaking the contract (taking less than the number of tricks bid), a player scores: 0 points.

Bags

In some variations of the game, overtricks are called "bags." Each time a player accumulates 10 bags, a deduction of 100 points is made. This encourages players to always take the bid exactly.

Winner

The first player to reach the agreed end-of-game score is the winner. If there is a tie, then ALL players participate in one more round of play.