Spades
Spades is a four-player partnership card game that takes about 30 minutes. Bid the tricks your side will take, then take exactly that many. Free. In-browser. No account.
Spades in 30 seconds
- PartnersFour players; you partner the player sitting opposite.
- BidLook at your 13 cards and bid the tricks you expect to take (zero is nil).
- PlayFollow suit if you can; otherwise you may trump with a spade. The highest card takes the trick.
- ScoreMake your side's bid for ten points per trick. First side to 500 wins.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 4 players |
| Play time | About 30 min |
| Type | Cards |
| Ranked play | Yes |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-09-25 |
How to play Spades online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 4 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- Four players. You partner the player sitting opposite (empty seats are filled by the computer on this site).
- Deal all 52 cards (no jokers), 13 to each player. The deal passes to the left each hand. The dealer rotates clockwise, and bidding and play also go clockwise.
How to play
- Starting left of the dealer, each player bids how many tricks they expect to take (zero is nil).
- The player left of the dealer leads to the first trick. Others must follow suit if they can; otherwise they may play any card.
- Spades are always trumps and beat every other suit. Spades cannot be led until a spade has been played (spades are broken), unless you hold nothing but spades.
- When all four have played, the highest spade wins the trick, or if there is none, the highest card of the suit led. The winner leads next. Aces are high and twos are low.
Winning
- Take at least your side's bid for ten points per trick bid plus one point per overtrick (bag). Fall short and lose ten points per trick bid.
- Nil scores +100 when made and −100 when failed. Every ten bags cost 100 points.
- The game ends with the deal in which a side reaches 500; the higher score wins. If the scores are tied, play another deal. By default a side that falls to −200 or lower loses at once.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target score | The game ends with the deal in which a side reaches this score; the higher side wins. | 500 | Yes |
| Bag penaltyBag penaltyBags are tricks your side takes beyond its bid; each is worth 1 point. With this rule, every ten bags cost 100 points, so you need to bid accurately rather than take extra. Without it, taking more than you bid does no harm. | Every ten overtricks (bags) cost 100 points. | On | Yes |
| Blind nilBlind nilNil is a bid to take no tricks yourself. Blind nil is a nil bid made before looking at your cards: +200 if you take none, −200 if you take any, double an ordinary nil (±100). It is a comeback move for a side that is well behind. | A player whose side is 100+ points behind may bid nil without looking (±200), then swaps two cards with their partner. | Off | Yes |
| Lose at −200Lose at −200A side that keeps missing its bids can sink further and further below zero. With this rule, the game ends as soon as a side falls to −200 or lower, and the higher side wins. It cuts short games that have become one-sided. | A side that falls to −200 or lower loses at once. | On | Yes |
| First leadFirst leadWith left of the dealer, that player may lead any card (spades only if they have no other suit). With the ♣2, whoever holds it must lead it, just as in Hearts. | Who leads to the first trick of each deal. | Left of the dealer | Yes |
Recommendations
Play this game once to write one.
Send feedback or a bug about this game
Request a setting for this game
We publish the feedback you send and what we do about it here
FAQ
How many players?
Exactly four, in two partnerships. The computer fills empty seats, so one or two people can play.
How long does it take?
About 30 minutes with the default target of 500. Set it to 200 in the party settings for a game of about 10 minutes.
Can I practise alone?
Yes. Choose Play vs CPU to partner a computer player against two computer opponents.
Who is my partner?
The player sitting opposite you. Their name appears under “Your side” at the bottom of the table, and their seat is marked “★ Partner”.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Cards)
Same player count
Last updated 2026-09-25 · Run by Qdan, Inc.