Spades is one of the most popular card games in North America. It is played either as a partnership or solo, but the whole point is to win tricks or rounds and score points based on these. When playing with a partner, a team must balance obtaining the total combined bids while limiting penalties along the way.
Speaking of scoring points, is there a certain number a team must reach to win Spades? Yes, there is! Before revealing that “magic” number, let’s first learn the basics of Spades.
How to Play Spades
Spades was developed in the 1930s in the USA and surged in popularity in the 1940s. The game’s roots were traced in the Midwest and was thought to have been introduced in Ohio sometime between 1937 and 1939. It quickly gained notoriety in college campuses, jails, and as a household game primarily because of how easy it is to play.
Do you want to see it for yourself? Well, here is how Spades is played:
- To start playing Spades, you need the typical 52-card deck. Ace is the highest-ranking card, but the Spades are the trump suits. In playing cards, usually in trick-taking games, trumps are cards that rank higher than their typical positions. The dealer deals 13 cards to each of the four players.
- After the deal, each player must assess their cards and predetermine how many rounds or tricks they could win. This process is called “bidding.” It starts in a clockwise direction, starting from the person to the left of the dealer, and continues until everyone has placed their bids.
- In a partnership Spades game, bids are combined for scoring, even though players bid individually. Points are awarded based on the combined number of tricks taken and the combined bid.
- What if you don’t have any trump cards, and the majority in your deck are lower-ranked cards? Don’t worry. You can place a nil (or zero) bid. Be careful when putting in nil bids; unsuccessful zero bids carry a hefty penalty.
- Since the player to the dealer’s left is the first to bid, he also starts the play. He can lead with any card except Spades. The round continues clockwise following the led suit and is won by the player with the highest suit. The player who wins the trick leads the next round.
- If the players don’t have the lead suit, they can play other cards and possibly a Spade. Remember that Spades are trump cards, which means even the Two of Spades is higher than the Aces of any suit except a Spade.
- This pattern continues until a team reaches the target score.
What’s the Winning Point Requirement in Spades?
The magic number that every team must go for is 500. Points are computed based on a relatively straightforward scoring system with generous rewards and stiff penalties. Here’s how the scoring in Spades works:
- Falling short in your bid is a recipe for disaster. The penalty for coming up short is ten times the bid’s value. For example, if your bid is eight and you only came up with seven, you will get penalized 80 points. Ouch!
- In a scenario where a team accumulates tricks more than their bid, they get awarded 1 point for each. These “overbid” tricks are technically called “bags.”
- It isn’t all a bed of roses with these bags. If anything, they could become unnecessary baggage if you’re not careful. Here’s the rub: A team that collects 10 “bags” is subtracted 100 points. The accumulated bags are then reset after that.
- If you bid zero, or a nil bid, the situation can either be a feast or famine. A successful zero bid earns points, but a failed one is penalized. In an online Spades game, the reward and penalty going either way are 100 points.
- Using this scoring system, the first to reach 500 takes the game.
7 Tips and Tricks When Playing Spades
Like any other game, a good grasp of the basic concepts can take you a long way. The same goes for Spades. The strategy doesn’t need to be rocket science; all you need is a sharp memory and a whole lot of nerve.
- Place Bids Accordingly
Half of the game is won through placing bids; bid correctly, and you will limit penalties while earning points yourselves. The secret to placing bids is to count your Kings and Aces and higher-ranked Spades. If you have an Ace and King of Spades in your deck, you’re already winning two tricks from the get-go.
- Play Kings and Aces of a non-Spade suit early
Kings and Aces are guaranteed to win unless it is trumped by a Spade. Play your Aces and Kings early to reduce the chances of this happening.
- Do not get in the way of your partner
In a partnership game, never outbid your partner unless you don’t have any other choice. He might be making a play, and outbidding him might ruin his momentum. Of course, if he throws low-ranked cards, it’s better to win the trick for the team (if you can afford it) than to let the round go to your opponents.
- Do your work early
This tip is directly related to #2. This is because it’s easier to maneuver things around when you already have secured tricks. It’s also easier to get out of your partner’s way if you do the work early.
- Nil bids are the key
You won’t always have higher-ranked cards at your disposal. Use this to your advantage by bidding nil. If you have less than three spades of lower rank and no Kings and Aces of other suits, this may be the time to go big. Remember, successful zero bids are worth 100 points!
- Try to remember everything
Keep track of what’s happening around you. Take note of which suits a player no longer has, so you can pretty much predict what’s going to happen. This strategy is not always foolproof, but you can always fall back on your plan if you know what’s likely to happen.
- Force your opponents to show Spades early
If you have five or six Spades in your deck and it’s now legal to lead with a Spade, throw the lowest-ranking trump card you have. This will force other players to release their trump cards, which favors you as the game progresses. This way, they won’t have as many Spades to beat your other cards.
Benefits of Playing Spades
Playing a card game, like Spades, is more beneficial than you think. It’s more than just a way to pass boredom; it’s also good for your emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
How so? Playing cards reduces stress and anxiety because it takes your mind off your problems. Thinking about negative things all the time can have an adverse effect on your emotional and mental health. Sitting back and enjoying yourself by playing Spades can be the form of self-care that you need!
When forming bonds and relationships, you can do so much worse than spending time with friends and family through playing Spades. You can also use this card game to teach young kids the value of socialization at an early age. In addition, these game sessions can be used to instill needed communication and collaboration skills in the children.
The benefits, as mentioned above, are only the tip of the iceberg. Spades involve strategy and being aware of your opponent’s moves. This demands various brain processes and suggests that your cognitive activity must be elevated throughout the game, resulting in a healthier brain and a sharper mental capacity.
