Spades is a classic trick-taking card game for 4 players in 2 teams. Spades are always trump.
Spades uses all 52 cards (no jokers). Each player receives 13 cards. Spades are permanently the trump suit — they beat all other suits.
Before play, each player individually bids the number of tricks they expect to take (0–13). There is no trump selection — you simply estimate your hand strength.
Nil bid: A player can bid 0 (nil), wagering they will take zero tricks. If successful, their team earns +100; if they take even one trick, their team loses 100.
Teammates' bids are combined for a team bid (e.g., if you bid 3 and your partner bids 4, your team must take at least 7 tricks).
The player with the 2 of clubs leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible. Spades may not be led until they have been "broken" (a spade has been played on a trick where the leader had no cards in the led suit) — unless a player has only spades left.
The highest card of the led suit wins, unless a spade is played — then the highest spade wins.
Overbidding is risky! Every trick over your bid counts as a bag, and 10 bags cost you 100 points.
The nil-bidder's partner still plays normally and must make their own bid. A failed nil does not affect whether the partner makes their bid.
The first team to reach 500 points wins. A team that drops to −200 points loses.