What are the basic rules of Spades?

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.

Regler för Spader - Så spelar du

Mål

Score points by winning at least as many tricks as your partnership bid. First team to 500 points wins.

Översikt

Spades is a partnership trick-taking card game where spades are always trump. Teams bid on how many tricks they'll win together, then try to make their bid while preventing the opponents from making theirs. Too many overtricks (bags) cause penalties.

Uppställning

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

Hur man spelar

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.
Play: Player left of dealer leads (usually cannot lead spades first).
Must follow suit if possible. Spades (trump) can be played if void in led suit.
Highest card of led suit wins, unless a spade trumps it.
Winner leads the next trick. Spades can't be led until broken.
Scoring: Making bid = 10 points per bid trick. Overtricks = 1 point each (but 10 overtricks = -100 penalty). Failing the bid loses 10 points per bid trick.

Att vinna spelet

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

Strategitips

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.

Cover your partner's nil by winning tricks that might catch them.

Save high spades to control late tricks.

Count cards, especially spades - knowing what's left helps planning.

Historia

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.