Spades is America’s favorite trick-taking game: every hand starts with a promise — how many tricks you’ll win — and the whole game is about keeping your word. Spades are always trump, and a bold nil bid can swing everything.
Here you partner with a dependable computer teammate against two rivals, in the classic 2v2 format.
How to Play Spades by Yourself
- Each of four players receives 13 cards; you and the player across are partners.
- Everyone bids the number of tricks they expect to win.
- Follow suit if possible; the highest card of the led suit wins unless a spade trumps it.
- Spades cannot lead until they’ve been played on another suit (or you have only spades).
- Make your team’s combined bid to score it ×10; extra tricks earn 1 bag each.
- First team to 500 points wins.
Rules of Spades
- Standard 52-card deck; spades are permanent trump.
- A bid of “nil” means zero tricks — huge bonus if kept, huge penalty if broken.
- Failing your combined bid loses 10 points per bid trick.
- Collecting 10 bags (overtricks) costs a 100-point penalty.
- Games play to 500 points, or a fixed number of hands.
Winning Strategies for Spades
- Count your sure tricks — aces, protected kings, long spades — and bid honestly.
- Protect a partner’s nil ruthlessly: overtake their high cards whenever you can.
- Lead low from long side suits early to develop your spades quietly.
- Track spades played; the moment trumps are exhausted, your aces become unstoppable.
- Bags are a slow poison — sometimes ducking a winnable trick is the right play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Spades with one player?
Yes — this version seats you with a computer partner against two computer opponents, so full four-player Spades works perfectly solo.
What does bidding nil mean?
You promise to take zero tricks all hand. Success typically scores +100; taking even one trick costs −100. It is the boldest play in Spades.
What are bags in Spades?
Overtricks beyond your bid. Each is worth 1 point, but collect ten and you lose 100 — sandbagging on purpose is part of the strategy.
Can spades be led at any time?
Not until they are “broken” by someone trumping another suit, or when the leader holds nothing but spades.
More games to love
If you like Spades, try one of these next — same beautiful deck, brand-new challenge.