Do you like classic trick-taking games with trumps and bids? Then you should definitely try Spades. These Spades card game rules explain all you need to know to pick up this popular game in no time.
Spades, also known as Call Bridge, is a straightforward yet highly amusing card game focused on simple bidding and trick-taking. As the game’s name suggests, spades are the most important suit here (similar to hearts in Hearts).
Like in other trick-taking games, including Tarneeb or Joker (check out Tarneeb rules and Joker rules for reference), your main goal in Spades is to win more tricks than your opponents.
But this alone won’t do since you also have to predict your victories accurately in advance to make the most out of them. This perfect mixture of strategy and unpredictability probably attracts people to Spades the most.
This Spades card game rules guide will cover the following:
- What is the Spades card game?
- What you’ll need to play the Spades card game
- Spades card game rules
- How to play Spades card game (video tutorial)
- FAQs
- Other similar games to Spades (our guides)
Read on and find out how to play Spades in our step-by-step guide.
Related: 5 Player card games
What is the Spades card game?
In Spades, the payers aim to win as many tricks as possible – or at least as many tricks as they bid on in each round. The game uses its scoring scheme, and the ultimate goal of all players is to collect 500 points before their opponents.
Spades are straightforward – a perfect trick-taking game for beginners. If you want to introduce your child or an inexperienced adult player to this category of card games, this is a great choice.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that the gameplay might take quite a long due to the high number of target points.
Number of Players: 4
Ages: 8+
Difficulty: Easy
Length of Play: 20 – 60 minutes
Category: Trick-taking card game
Similar to: Nines, Hearts, Rook
Main Objective: Be the first player to score 500 points.
Why We Love It: Spades is the ultimate go-to trick-taking game for anyone who likes dynamic, strategic yet unpredictable card games.
What You’ll Need to Play Spades Card Game
All you need to play Spades is a standard deck of 52 playing cards.
Regarding the Jokers, there are two different approaches you can follow:
- Usually, Jokers are not used in Spades, so you can sort them out straight away.
- However, if you want to keep Jokers, they can serve as the two highest trumps in the game (above the Ace of Spades)
