Spades

How to play Spades

Spades is for four players in two sides: you and North, your partner, against West and East. All three others are computer players. The first side to 500 points wins.

• Everyone gets 13 cards. Each player bids how many tricks they'll take. Your side's bid is yours and North's added together. Bidding Nil means you'll take no tricks at all.
• The player to the dealer's left leads the first trick. Follow the suit that was led if you can; if you can't, play any card. Spades always beat the other suits.
• Spades can't be led until a spade has been played, unless you have only spades.
• A side that takes at least its bid scores 10 for each trick bid, plus 1 for each extra trick, called a bag. Every 10 bags costs 100. A side that falls short loses 10 for each trick bid.
• A Nil that takes no tricks scores 100; one that takes any loses 100.
• The first side to 500 wins. A side at minus 200 loses.
• To bid, choose a number and press Bid. To play, tap a card. Cards you can't play now are dimmed.

Tips

• Count your sure tricks: Aces, guarded Kings and high spades. Bid a little under if you're unsure, as bags cost less than a missed bid.
• Short in a suit with spades to spare? You can trump that suit when it's led.
• If your partner bid Nil, try to win the tricks they might otherwise take.

Keyboard

Tab moves between your cards and the buttons. Enter or Space plays a card. H shows a hint.