Spades is a partnership trick-taking game. You and the player across the table work as a team against the two players beside you, and every hand starts with a promise: how many tricks you think you can win.

How to play

You sit at the bottom of the table. Your partner is the computer player across from you, and the other two computer players are your opponents. Each hand, everyone gets 13 cards.

Bidding. Before play, each player bids the number of tricks they expect to win. Tap a number, or tap Nil, which means you promise to win no tricks at all. Your team's bids are added together to make your contract.

Playing a trick. The first player leads a card, and each player in turn plays one card. You must follow the suit that was led if you can. Spades are trump, so a spade beats any card of another suit. If a spade is played, the highest spade wins the trick. Otherwise the highest card of the suit that was led wins. The winner leads next.

Leading spades. You cannot lead a spade until one has been played, unless you hold nothing else.

Scoring a hand. If your team wins at least as many tricks as you bid, you score 10 points for each bid trick and 1 point for each extra trick, called a bag. If you win fewer, you lose 10 points for each bid trick. A made Nil is worth 100 points, and a failed Nil costs 100. A Nil bidder's tricks still count toward the partner's bid. Collect ten bags and you lose 100 points.

Winning the game. This is shorter than the usual game: the first team to 300 points wins, so a game fits a coffee break. A team that falls to minus 200 loses. If a game runs 24 hands, the team with more points wins.

On a phone, tap a card that stands raised to play it. On a computer, click it. Raised cards are the ones you may play.

The levels

The levels change how well the three computer players bid and play. The rules stay the same.

Easy: relaxed opponents who sometimes slip up.
Medium: opponents who bid by counting high cards and play by rules of thumb.
Hard: opponents who count the cards played and remember who ran out of a suit.
Expert: opponents who imagine your cards and think each play through. Thinking takes a moment.

Your partner plays at the same level as your opponents, so a harder level also gives you a sharper partner. Because it is a team game, an even match is a win in half your games.

Today's game

The daily game is played at Medium. Everyone who plays on the same calendar day gets the same deals.

Tips

Bid about one trick for each ace and each king that has a small card with it. Add one for every spade after the third.
Do not bid too high. Missing a bid costs 10 points a trick, and extra tricks are only worth 1.
Watch your bags. Winning many more tricks than you bid builds toward the 100-point penalty.
Use your spades wisely. A spade played on a suit you have run out of wins the trick, though a higher spade can still beat it.
Count the spades. There are 13, and once the high ones are out, your remaining spades become strong.
Help your partner. If your partner is likely to win the trick, play a low card, and keep your high cards for when they are needed.
Bid Nil only with low cards in every suit and few spades. Failing it costs 100 points, so a mixed hand is not worth the risk.

A bit of history

Spades is part of the family of partnership trick-taking games and became a popular choice for four players around a table, particularly in the United States.

Questions

What does Nil mean? It is a bid of zero. If you win no tricks all hand, your team gains 100 points. If you win even one, it costs 100.

What are bags? A bag is a trick you won beyond your bid. Each is worth 1 point, but collecting ten costs you 100 points.

Why can't I lead a spade? Spades stay off the table until someone plays one in a trick. The exception is a hand holding only spades.

Who is my partner? The computer player sitting across from you. Your team's bids and tricks are added together.

Spades