Spades

Standard 52-card deck, 4 players in two partnerships (partners sit across from each other). Deal all cards evenly (13 each). Bidding proceeds clockwise.

First team to 500 points wins. If both reach 500 on the same hand, higher score wins.

Bidding: Each player bids how many tricks they personally expect to win (1-13). Partner bids are added together for the team's contract. Special bids: Nil (0 tricks) scores +100 if successful, -100 if failed. Blind Nil: Bid nil before seeing cards, +200/-200.

Bid accurately - underbidding piles up overtrick bags, overbidding fails your bid. With a strong hand, bid high to prevent opponents from making their bid. Nil bids are risky but rewarding - make sure you have escape cards.

Spades was invented in the United States in the late 1930s, likely in Cincinnati. It gained popularity among American soldiers during World War II and became a staple in colleges and military bases.