Spades

How to play Spades

Spades is the classic partnership trick game for four at a 3D card table. Bid how many tricks you'll take, then make it with your partner across the table.

Controls: When it's your bid, tap a number (or NIL). When it's your turn to play, the cards you can play are raised: tap one, then tap it again (or press PLAY) to put it down. Arrow keys and Enter work too.

Tips

• Count your sure tricks before you bid: aces, guarded kings, and high spades. Long spades win tricks late in the hand.
• A short side suit is worth something too: when you run out, you can trump in with a spade.
• Once your side has made its bid, stop winning tricks. Every extra trick is a bag, and ten bags cost a hundred points.
• Bid Nil only with a hand full of low cards and no high spades. Your partner will try to cover you.
• Spades can't be led until someone has played one on another suit, so hold your low spades for trumping.
• Watch the other side's bid: if they need every trick, throw your high cards to set them.